VAU-Bio

Development of a procedure for estimating the environmental impacts associated with the production and use of biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels

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Compiling the data for the purpose of fulfilling the reporting requirement in accordance with Annex XVI Table 5 as part of the NECPR

The use of biomass for energy generation is currently making a significant contribution to the provision of electricity, heat and fuels from renewable energies in Germany. However, its availability is limited and excessive use can have serious environmental impacts. Even with moderate use, the provision, processing and use of biomass can have various environmental impacts. Comprehensive monitoring of these impacts is necessary to identify any cross-cutting environmental impacts of biomass use and, if necessary, to take countermeasures at an early stage.

One starting point here are the so-called reports on progress in implementing the measures of the integrated national energy and climate plans (NECPR), which the EU member states are to prepare regularly. In these reports, Annex XVI, Table 5, among other things, includes a query regarding the impact on biodiversity, water resources, water availability and quality, soils and air quality. In the NECP 2020, Germany only addressed these possible environmental effects selectively, but they are now to be examined in more detail in the progress reports (NECPR).

Against this background, this project is developing a procedure that records the environmental effects of energy-related biomass use in accordance with the requirements of the EU Regulation (EU) 2022/2299 and fulfils the reporting requirement under the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. This involves taking stock of existing indicators and methods for collecting environmental parameters and checking their suitability. A gap analysis will be carried out to identify the need for further indicators, harmonisation of data and possible updates. The aim is to provide information for the NECPR 2025 and 2027. Another aspect is the development of concepts for regularly retrieving relevant data and evaluating existing data provision structures. The project should lead to a stabilisation of the procedure for fulfilling the reporting obligation.