European gas sector trade association Eurogas, plus a coalition of over 50 global organisations, have called on the European Commission to urgently address barriers preventing the import of renewable gases into the EU. The restrictions that apply come under the Union Database for Biofuels (UDB), which is a regulation introduced under Europe’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED II).
The UDB, introduced to trace sustainable gaseous fuels, currently recognises only EU-integrated grids. This means that sustainable biomethane and renewable gases from third-country, or non-EU, partners, including the UK, US, Ukraine and Canada, cannot be counted towards EU renewable energy targets.
Eurogas Secretary General Andreas Guth said, “The UDB must be workable in practice to ensure that it does not block crucial imports of renewable gas from third countries, especially at a time when energy security and decarbonisation are so critical.”
Those lobbying argue that current restrictions may hit investments and supply chain stability, particularly in the maritime sector, which is adapting to new FuelEU Maritime regulations aimed at reducing emissions.
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