Responding to the European Commission’s Communication on the 2040 climate targets both Bioenergy Europe and Solar Heat Europe, trade bodies representing the European bioenergy and solar thermal industries respectively, have warmly welcomed the target of at least 90 percent reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040.
The European Commission published on February 6, 2024, a detailed impact assessment on possible pathways to reach the agreed goal of making the European Union (EU) climate-neutral by 2050 recommending a 90 percent net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction by 2040 compared to 1990 levels,
Bioenergy Europe notes that a 90 percent reduction of GHG emissions is “the right response to the ever-growing threat of climate change” and the that bioenergy sector is ready to step up and contribute to its achievement.
Achieving the objectives set in the Communication by the Commission will require a herculean push for the European Union in all sectors.
The ambition is commendable. but the Communication lacks a clear emphasis on the need to increase the EU’s resilience. Europe can show the way towards a more sustainable future by relying more on its own resources and on trustable partners, said Jean-Marc Jossart, Secretary General of Bioenergy Europe.
Renewable heat at the core
Heat corresponds to 50 percent of the energy needs, going up to 80 percent for households in buildings.
Providing heat through sustainable, renewable sources and at affordable, reliable, and stable prices is fully in line with the Commission’s objectives: addressing the need to deploy renewable energy, and zero- and low-carbon solutions while ensuring affordable energy.
Already today, sustainable bioenergy is the main source of renewable energy in Europe, especially for heating.
Bioenergy and other renewable heat solutions such as solar thermal are exactly at the intersection of these requirements and, as such, require a prominent role in the 2040 discussion.
Along with bioenergy, the solar thermal sector is well placed to actively contribute to the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions reduction target with its EU-made and ready-to-deploy products, both for buildings and industries.
The solar thermal sector supports a target of at least 90 percent. This is more than an ambition; it is an imperative! Still, we need to point out that heat decarbonization is essential to reach CO2 targets and needs further visibility, including sub-targets and a dedicated action plan. Solar thermal can complement and integrate green electrification, by generating local heat, thus reducing infrastructure costs for power distribution and pressure on the grid, making thus the target quicker and cheaper to achieve, stated Guglielmo Cioni, President of Solar Heat Europe.
Pragmatic approach and policy implementation required
A pragmatic approach paired with robust policy implementation and widespread collaboration among Member States and stakeholders will be essential.
The heating and cooling sector overall requires a sub-target for its decarbonization, combined with a clear strategy, setting the pathway for a real and effective fossil-fuel exit strategy.
Bioenergy Europe is glad to see clear and ambitious targets in the Commission’s Communication. Now it is time for actions to follow intentions and set a clear Fossil Fuel Exit Strategy. As demonstrated over the past decades, energy from solid biomass has the ability to replace fossil fuels sustainably and is expected to continue doing so in the future, declared Irene di Padua, Policy Director at Bioenergy Europe.
Decentralization, diversification, and job creation
Bioenergy Europe notes that bioenergy technologies are manufactured in the EU and use local resources, making bioenergy an indispensable ally to enhance Europe’s resilience.
According to Solar Heat Europe, decentralization and diversification of renewable solutions to include renewable heat supply is critical to avoid dependency or excessive reliance on volatile suppliers for energy or components, or even infrastructural bottlenecks such as the power grid.
Such diversification will also ensure more alternatives to consumers and industrial actors, more economic value, and job creation, from clean tech manufacturing, installation, and related activities.
This means more security for the EU, its citizens, and companies, as well as more freedom to choose from diverse climate-friendly solutions.
Solar Heat Europe advocates for diversification of solutions offered to cities, cooperatives of citizens, individuals, and industries, who are going to be instrumental in driving this change. Political measures and financing instruments cannot be channeled only for large investments and large players. They need to be tailored to reach and serve consumers and SMEs. Let’s focus also on the small and the micro-scale and those that most need the support and instruments to operate change, and allow to keep them manufacturing in Europe and meet these growing demands, said Valérie Séjourné, Managing Director of Solar Heat Europe.
BECCS is essential
As also pointed out by the Commission, renewables and carbon removal technologies will be necessary to achieve the 2040 target.
According to Bioenergy Europe, Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) is the perfect example of coupling renewable energy production and carbon dioxide removal (CDR).
The European Commission communication “Towards an Ambitious Industrial Carbon Management for the EU” also published on February 6, 2024, marks a pivotal moment in shaping the future of carbon reduction strategies.
Bioenergy Europe applauds the Commission’s emphasis on industrial carbon removals. Financial incentives will be needed for their deployment. It is also encouraging that the EU is exploring ways to establish a compliance market. A successful Strategy implementation will require international cooperation, cross-border transport, storage, and technological transfer, ended Ennio Prizzi, Policy Officer at Bioenergy Europe.
