Agenda Raad: Actieplan biomassa, etikettering organische producten (en)
Austria a pioneer of renewable energy
The EU Agriculture Ministers will be meeting today, Monday, for the first time this year. The main topics on the agenda will be the labelling of organic products and the promotion of agricultural and forestry products (biomass) as energy sources. Austria's Minister for Agriculture Josef Pröll has already emphasised that protecting the climate and the environment will be one of Austria's main concerns, at both international and EU level, and within Austria itself.
In its 2004 communication on the share of renewable energy in the EU, the European Commission undertook to propose a Biomass Action Plan outlining the need for a coordinated approach in this policy area. The Biomass Action Plan sets out how the use of biomass energy produced from wood, waste materials and agricultural plants can be promoted by creating economic incentives and removing the obstacles to the development of a market. This would enable Europe to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, cut greenhouse gas emissions and boost economic activity in rural areas.
Two-thirds of Austria's overall electricity production is generated from renewable energy sources. Austria is in third place in the EU behind Latvia and Sweden and ahead of Finland in the use of renewable energy, with renewables accounting for around 24% of gross domestic consumption. The statistics on energy resources clearly show that the traditional renewable energy sources such as water power and biomass (particularly in the form of firewood) contribute the largest share of this in Austria. The "new renewables" such as energy from biomass, wind power, biogas and photovoltaic energy currently still have a small share, but in some cases show considerable growth rates and potential.
In the case of biomass, Finland is leading the way with a share of 20% of domestic consumption, followed by Sweden (16.1%) and Austria (10.3%). Austria's share of overall energy consumption in the EU 25 is around 1.8%. In contrast, Austria has a 7.8% share of primary production from renewable energy sources, and an almost 11% share of EU electricity production from renewables.
The Biomass Action Plan is a first coordinating step, as it sets out measures to promote the use of biomass for heat and energy generation and in transport, and describes overarching measures relating to biomass supply and research and to financial aspects. The Commission will follow this up with a communication in the coming weeks on the EU strategy for promoting the use of biofuels.
The presentation of the Biomass Action Plan largely coincides with Austria's interests in the field of renewable energy sources. The recent gas crisis highlighted Europe's vulnerability because of its dependence on fossil fuel. The Commission's communication is therefore to be welcomed as an important step in the right direction at the right time. The Informal Agriculture Council, which will be held in Krems from 28 to 30 May, will also devote attention to the subject of biomass.