The House of Representatives has decided that the burning of woody biomass should no longer be regarded as a 'sustainable energy source'. It is striking that Frans Timmermans, now PvdA/GL leader, also supports this change of course. While in his role as European Commissioner he was still a strong supporter of biomass as an alternative to fossil fuels.
The Animal Party came up with a motion to advocate the biomass ban at European level. Christine Teunissen, Member of Parliament for the Animal Party, points out that the RIVM has been warning about health risks from energy production from woody biomass since 2018. The national climate consultation also shows that a large proportion of Dutch citizens are against importing wood for combustion. The motion received the support of 105 MPs, with the exception of VVD, BBB, CDA, Denk, CU and SGP.
According to De Telegraaf, Fenna Swart, chairman of the national Clean Air Committee, called PvdA/GL's support for the motion 'good news for our forests and biodiversity', but at the same time 'unprecedentedly ironic'. Swart criticizes Timmermans, who as European Commissioner was a strong advocate of large-scale biomass combustion. “Not long ago, as European Commissioner, he was the biggest advocate of large-scale biomass combustion in Brussels. Supporting this motion now is therefore at least unbelievable and absurd.” said Swart.
Climate Minister Rob Jetten (D66) has previously indicated that discouraging 'woody bio-raw materials' is undesirable because of the climate objectives. “This can, for example, concern the generation of industrial steam, the use of wood in construction, the production of advanced biofuels for aviation and shipping and applications in biochemistry such as the production of bioplastics as a replacement for fossil plastics. A discouragement of woody bio-raw materials would therefore have far-reaching consequences for the highest possible use of bio-raw materials and thus the realization of a climate-neutral and circular society.”
Photo: European Parliament. Hearing of Frans Timmermans – Executive Vice President-Designate – European Green Deal in 2019
Source: The Telegraph
Motion of the House of Representatives June 11, 2024
