| 
More than half of what the EU calls renewable energy is made from burning wood and crops -- and it’s destroying forests here and around the world.
It's a scam made possible by the EU’s 2009 Renewable Energy Directive, which is thankfully under review. Because of that law, forests have been clear-cut, and precious habitats destroyed, to produce wood pellets that are burnt in dirty coal plants rebranded now as 'clean energy plants'.
Bioenergy corporations and loggers are lobbying to carry on business as usual, but the European Commission is accepting feedback until February 9 from the public too.
Burning wood instead of coal isn’t going to stop runaway climate change -- it’s making it worse. Experts have been warning for years that harvesting forests for energy will typically increase greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels for decades or even centuries.
The EU’s Renewable Energy Directive says burning forests and crops is “renewable - carbon free” energy, so producers enjoy massive subsidies. The Dutch government, for example, has promised energy companies more than €3.5bn in subsidies to burn biomass, making the country one of the biggest importers of wood pellets in Europe.
But right now we have the opportunity to change this. Until February 9th, the European Commission wants to know your opinion on the law that makes this scandal possible.
Experts from civil society have crafted the detailed response linked here to the European Commission. All you have to do is sign this petition, and we'll send it to the European Commission on your behalf.
Add your name, and make the EU stop fake renewable energy!
We can stop this. SumOfUs members joined with hundreds of thousands of others across Europe in 2019, and persuaded the European Commission to outlaw most palm oil in European biofuel. Together we can pressure politicians and officials to resist industry lobbying, and put people and planet before profits.
Thanks for all that you do,
Eoin and the team at SumOfUs
More information:
Europe’s renewable energy policy is built on burning American trees Vox. 4 March 2019.
EU’s own scientists warn against burning wood for renewable energy Forest Defenders Alliance. 26 January 2021.
'Carbon-neutrality is a fairy tale': how the race for renewables is burning Europe's forests Guardian. 14 January 2021.
