The European Commission is seeking your views on an EU policy for sustainable bioenergy from 2020 to 2030.
Bioenergy is derived from organic material, or biomass, including agricultural crops, woods and organic waste.
Biomass and waste can account for about two-thirds of all renewable energy consumption in the EU and is chiefly used for heating, followed by electricity generation and transport fuels.
In its communication on climate and energy policies from 2020 to 2030, the Commission announced that it will present an improved EU policy for sustainable bioenergy for the period after 2020, as part of the revision of renewable energy directive due by the end of 2016.
The consultation runs until 10 May 2016.
Last year, an EU Commission report said that Ireland is not on track to reach its climate targets, namely its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets.
Ireland is committed to reducing its GHG emissions in the non-emission trading system sector by 20% between 2005 and 2020 but according to national projections in 2015 it is likely to miss this target by a wide margin, with the authorities expecting emissions to decrease only by 3% in 2020 compared with 2005.
How to submit your contribution
According to the EU Commission:
- Submit your response by 10 May 2016 at the latest.
- Received contributions will be published online.
- Please read the specific privacy statement to this consultation for information on how your personal data and contribution will be dealt with.
EU targets for 2030:
- a 40% cut in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels
- at least a 27% share of renewable energy consumption
- at least 27% energy savings compared with the business-as-usual scenario
To meet the targets, the European Commission has proposed:
- A reformed EU emissions trading scheme (ETS)
- New indicators for the competitiveness and security of the energy system, such as price differences with major trading partners, diversification of supply, and interconnection capacity between EU countries
- First ideas on a new governance system based on national plans for competitive, secure, and sustainable energy. These plans will follow a common EU approach. They will ensure stronger investor certainty, greater transparency, enhanced policy coherence and improved coordination across the EU.
