REDIII, ReFuel EU Aviation, and FuelEU Maritime Formally Adopted by the European Parliament
On the 12th and the 13th of September, the European Parliament adopted respectively the updated Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) and the ReFuel EU Aviation Regulation, marking a significant step towards a more environmentally conscious and sustainable Europe.
In alignment with the Green Deal and REPowerEU plans, the RED is set to elevate the share of renewables in the EU’s final energy consumption to 42.5% by 2030, with a goal for member states to aim for 45%. The legislation also paves the way for a quicker permitting process for new renewable energy projects, aiming for approvals in just 12 months for installations in designated “renewables go-to areas.” In this regard, Transport will see a 14.5% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030, thanks to a greater use of renewable fuels of non-biological origin, such as e-methanol, e-methane and e-kerosene.
Now definitively adopted, the ReFuel EU Aviation Regulation includes mandatory shares of sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) to be available at airports, starting at 2% of overall fuel supplied by 2025 and reaching 70% by 2050. It also includes mandatory RFNBOs sub-quotas of 1.2% in 2030 all the way to 35% in 2050. The deal also modifies the scope of eligible fuels considered under the SAF definition (including recycled carbon fuels and non-fossil low-carbon fuels).
These moves area crucial part of the ‘Fit-for-55’ package, aligned with the EU’s commitment to a 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2030 and a reduction in fossil fuel imports, strengthening Europe’s sustainability efforts.
Additionally, last July, the European Parliament approved the provisional agreement with the Council of the European Union on the Maritime FuelEU regulation to reduce GHG emissions from maritime energy use. Targets include 2% reduction by 2025, 6% by 2030, 14.5% by 2035, 31% by 2040, 62% by 2045, and 80% by 2050. Importantly, the legislation also creates a mandatory target for RFNBOs: if renewable fuel usage remains below 1% in the fuel mix in 2031, a 2% target will be set for 2034.
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