Updating the greenhouse gas emissions of liquid biofuels from Annex V of the Renewable Energy Directive II (RED II): An overview
Anne Bouter, Oliver Hurtig, Romain Besseau, Marco Buffi, Biljana Kulišić, Nicolae Scarlat
Abstract
The European Union (EU) has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigate climate change. Biofuels are a key component in achieving these goals, but inaccurate GHG emissions metrics can lead to ineffective policies. Accurate metrics are essential for guiding investments in the biofuels sector, driving innovation, and maintaining public support for EU climate policies. This study proposes an update of the GHG emission savings metrics for liquid biofuels pathways, incorporating the latest technological developments, updated input data, and recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change guidelines. The results show a decreasing trend in GHG emissions, mainly due to improvements in agricultural management, technological advancements, and changes in energy inputs and agro-inputs. The updated GHG emission values provide a comprehensive framework for assessing the climate change impacts of biofuel production in the EU. An uncertainty analysis highlights the variability within each pathway and the numerous sources contributing to it. This study informs policy decisions and supports the development of a sustainable and climate-friendly bioenergy sector in the EU. The updated metrics can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of biofuels production pathways and support the transition to a low-carbon economy. By providing a robust approach for assessing biofuels' carbon footprint, this study contributes to the EU's climate change mitigation strategy and decarbonisation goals, supporting a more sustainable future and helping to achieve the EU's ambitious targets. The study's findings are crucial for ensuring that biofuels play a positive role in reducing GHG emissions and mitigating climate change. • Updated GHG emissions of liquid biofuels from Annex V RED II. • Update covering new inputs data, pathways, and impact assessment methodology. • Main changes linked to the update of the soil N 2 O emissions: general decreasing trend. • Uncertainty matters: more than 20 % due to both data and impact assessment method. • Updated calculations do not significantly deviate from the previous results.