Category

Sustainability scheme/initiative

Minimum GHG savings (%)

Fossil fuel comparator

EU sustainability framework for biofuels/bioliquids

Renewable Energy Directive 2009/28/EC (referring to biofuels and bioliquids)

35% (50%/60%)

EU fossil fuel comparator

Proposal for a DIRECTIVE amending Directive 98/70/EC and amending Directive 2009/28/EC; COM (2012) 595 final

60% for new installations in operation from 7/2014

EU fossil fuel comparator

EU sustainability framework for solid/gaseous biomass

used in electricity, heating and cooling

Biomass Report COM (2010)11

35%

EU-wide fossil fuel comparators for different technologies

Biomass Report COM (2014)11

70%

(good practice)

EU-wide fossil fuel comparators for different technologies

National sustainability schemes

UK Renewable Obligation

60%/66%

72% (2020)

75% (2025)

EU wide fossil fuel comparator for electricity

Corporate sustainability schemes and voluntary agreements

Initiative Wood Pellet Buyers

60%

Reference fossil fuels

Agreement between the Senate of Berlin and Vattenfall Europe

50%

Coal (taking into account the GHG calculation methodology proposed by the EU Commission)

Green Deal on sustainability reporting of solid biomass for energy between the Dutch government and various energy companies

60%

Reference fossil energy

DONG Energy Programme for Sustainable Biomass Sourcing

70%

75% (2025)

n/a

Project based initiatives

Biomass Futures

(Intelligent Energy Europe Programme)

55% (2015)

60% (2020)

75% (2030)

Natural gas

Bioenergy Promotion II

(Baltic Sea Region Programme)

80%

Fossil fuel based

energy systems