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Politics is changing the trend: biomass remains part of renewable energies!
Find out how a new compromise in Germany secures biomass as renewable energy and improves tax conditions.
Politics is changing the trend: biomass remains part of renewable energies!
In Germany, an important compromise was reached in the area of bioenergy. The term “renewable energy sources” has been completely removed from the Electricity Tax Act, meaning that biomass remains in the definition of electricity from renewable energies. The Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF) originally suggested removing biomass from this definition, which would have jeopardized the tax benefits that are important for bioenergy and agricultural businesses. Sandra Rostek, head of the Capital Bioenergy Office (HBB), praises this compromise, but criticizes the BMF's approach, in particular the rejection of the proposal to recognize sustainability certificates that have already been produced.
The decision must also be viewed in the context of EU regulations, which require bioenergy to demonstrate its sustainability. According to Umweltbundesamt, the certification of bioenergetic raw materials must meet reliable criteria, as low requirements can reduce the positive impact on the environment and society. The implementation in Germany is viewed as unsatisfactory because many certification systems are not credible and external controls are often missing.
Challenges of sustainability certification
A central concern is the definition of criteria that enable reliable checks. Biomass poses particular challenges because the complex interactions of land use are difficult to quantify. Important factors such as biodiversity protection and the right to food must be taken into account. Germany has already implemented the requirements of the EU Renewable Energies Directive (EU-RED), which sets binding sustainability requirements for biomass. However, there is often criticism of the implementation because many systems are not considered sufficiently credible.
In addition, experts warn that certified raw materials could potentially only be used within the EU, while at the same time other markets that also demand bioenergetic raw materials are not adequately addressed. The need for political action is seen as urgent, particularly given greenhouse gas emissions, which are often lower than originally assumed.
At the same time, Morbihan, a department in Brittany, plays an interesting role in the discussion about sustainable use of resources. The department has a strong agricultural sector and a strong commitment to bioenergy. With an area of 6,823 km² and 905 km of coastline, Morbihan, which is characterized by both agriculture and tourism, has a population of 776,103 inhabitants (as of 2022). The region is particularly known for its production in aviculture and is also expected to play an increasing role in bioenergy.
Overall, current developments in Germany show that political decision-makers are keen to take both the ecological and economic dimensions of bioenergy into account. The latest compromise on tax regulation could be seen as a positive signal for the future of bioenergy in Germany, although challenges in certification and sustainability remain.