ETIP Bioenergy: Position paper on sustainable biomass supply | 2025

Background

The position paper by The European Technology and Innovation Platform (ETIP) Bionergy on sustainable biomass supply brings forward the opportunities, challenges and recommendations towards 2030 to accelerate biomass in the energy system.

Key takeaways

• Biomass accounts for around 60% of the total energy consumption in the European Union(in 2023) and is an essential pillar of the global energy transition.
• Bioenergy contributes to several EU targets and related regulations such as the RED,decarbonisation goals, energy security, REPowerEU initiatives, RefuelEUAviation, FuelEU Maritime along with circular economy and rural development.
• Sustainable biomass supply has long been debated with strong arguments on both sides. Sustainably sourced biomass plays an important role in the bio-based circular economy transition. Critics are concerned with the environmental risks related to land and water resources and broader planetary boundaries. The scientific community engaged in these discussions leading to expand the knowledge andimprove sustainability assessment.
• Careful management of biomass and traceability are essential to balance carbon sinks,ecosystem services and long-term sustainability which are reflected in the strict sustainability criteria that the EU has implemented.
• The sustainability of biomass is a complex issue which touches on several dimensions namely from an environmental perspective, societal point of view and geopolitical considerations amongst others.
• The potential for biomass to be sustainably source in the EU has been estimated in several targeted studies. Insights on potential futures of biomass availability in the European Union indicate that there are sufficient domestic biomass resources to meet the 2030 targets.
• A key challenge remains with regards to the mobilisation of underutilized raw materials in the form of agricultural residues, forestry by-products and organic waste.
• ETIP brings forward several key strategies to be implemented for the scalable and sustainable supply of biomass:
  
  • On the policy side, ETIP recommends the integration of biomass in the energy security and circular economy polices, strengthening the circular bio-based economy, and leveraging synergies across biomass sectors.
  • From a stakeholder and community engagement perspective, there is a need to engage farmers and foresters, encourage the mobilisation of biomass from marginal, underutilised and contaminated lands, enhance communication and awareness and strengthen collaboration across value chains.

Download

You can download the full position paper by clicking here or on the right hand side.
‍