EC unveils post-2020 bioenergy consultation

The European Commission (EC) has launched a consultation on the preparation of a sustainable bioenergy policy for the period after 2020.

The objective is to consult stakeholders and citizens on an updated EU policy on sustainable bioenergy for the period 2020-2030, as part of the EU renewable energy package foreseen before the end of 2016.

In a statement, the EC said: "Identified sustainability risks under examination include lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from bioenergy production and use; impacts on the carbon stock of forests and other ecosystems; impacts on biodiversity, soil and water, and emissions to the air; indirect land use 2 ecosystems; impacts on biodiversity, soil and water, and emissions to the air; indirect land use change impacts; as well as impacts on the competition for the use of biomass between different sectors (energy, industrial uses, food).

"The Commission has carried out a number of studies to examine these issues more in detail and will also organise a dedicated stakeholder conference on 13 April 2016."

The consultation closes on 10 May 2016.