BirdLife's position on Renewable Energy Directive

Andy Hay (rspb-images.com)

In order to have a sustainable future, we need to reduce our depenedence on fossil fuels. BirdLife strongly support the 20% renewable energy target, and see this as an essential component in the fight against climage change.
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The Renewable Energy Directive is key to strong EU action on Climate Change. Without a meaningful Directive the EU will fail a significant part of its commitment to a post-Kyoto global deal on climate change.

It is essential – and achievable – that the Renewable Energy Directive does not cause wider ecosystem damage and contribute to climate change itself.

BirdLife principles for the Renewable Energy Directive:

We strongly support the 20% renewable energy target, and see this as an essential component in the fight against climate change;
Measures must not harm ecosystem and contribute to the current global biodiversity crisis;
Environmental safeguards must be put in place for all renewable energy developments;
The 10% mandatory target for biofuels should be dropped from the Directive.
Strong sustainability standards should be set for biofuel production.

BirdLife proposed six solutions on how to address the biofuel problem in the Renewable Energy Directive:

1) A moratorium on all new biofuel incentive and targets at EU level …

Until it can be shown that the targets can be met in a truly sustainable manner, taking into account the latest science and evidence on the direct and indirect environmental and social impacts of biofuel policy and production.

2) Minimum greenhouse gas emissions saving of 60% compared to fossil fuels …

For all bioenergy applications including biofuels for transport and electricity and heat generation from biomass, taking into account direct and indirect land-use change and emissions from nitrogen fertilizer use.

3) Minimum sustainability standards …

For all bioenergy, that adequately safeguard against negative environmental and social impacts.

4) A robust and verifiable system of certification …

For all bioenergy based on these standards.

5) Active promotion of measures aimed at reducing emission in the transport sector …

That have fewer sustainability concerns and higher levels of greenhouse gas emission saving such as managing demand for travel and improved vehicle efficiency.

6) A greenhouse gas emission reduction approach to transport fuels …

Through the emission reduction mechanism currently proposed in the Fuel Quality Directive i.e. setting a greenhouse gas reduction target that takes into account the full life-cycle of the fuel, rather that setting volume or energy-based targets. The contribution of biofuels to the achievement of such targets should be kept at a sustainable level and linked to the above-mentioned sustainability standards.