| 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 |