EU cuts green energy subsidies for ‘environmental destruction’ tree burning – Can it be reduced?
Essay by Eric Worrall
European researchers have clearly found that deforestation causes harm to the environment.
EU restricts subsidies for burning trees under renewable energy directive
MEPs vote on amendment to gradually reduce market share of timber deemed renewable but reject calls to phase it out entirely
Jennifer Rankin in Brussels Thursday 15 September 2022 02.00 AEST
The European Parliament has called for an end to public subsidies for the destructive practice of burning trees for fuel, but campaigners warn that the plan risks being “too little, too late”.
Voting on an amendment to the EU’s renewable energy directive, MEPs called for a “gradual reduction” in the share of trees considered renewable in the EU’s goals. But they changed the set any date to reduce the burning of “primary wood”. They rejected calls to completely phase out a form of energy production that scientists have warned will release more carbon into the atmosphere than burning gas or coal.
The EU wants to expand renewable energy as quickly as possible, as it is looking to accelerate the green transition and end Russia’s dependence on fossil fuels. MEPs voted 45% of EU energy to come from renewable sources by 2030.
Behind this headline target is the European dash for bioenergy has caused growing alarm. Last year, more than 500 scientists called on EU and world leaders to end subsidies for wood burning.
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According to the European Commission, the EU has spent 13 billion euros (£11 billion) on bioenergy subsidies in 2020, down from 17 billion euros the year before. NGOs say most of those subsidies go to wood-burning power plants, but could be better targeted at supporting clean technology, such as heat pumps.
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I can’t help but wonder if the €13-17 billion annual subsidy for cutting trees and burning them is what the original founders of the environmental movement had in mind when they started their meetings. green action group meeting or not.
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