The EU must protect forests, not burn them for energy
Petition to EU Vice-President Frans Timmermans
Position paper | June 15, 2021
Related area of expertise: Climate Action
EU policy is increasing forest logging and associated greenhouse gas emissions by misleadingly promoting the burning of forest wood as “zero-carbon” renewable energy. We call on EU policymakers and EU Member States to:
- End subsidies and other incentives for burning forest wood and redirect this critical support to energy efficiency and true low-emission renewable energy sources.
- Exclude energy generated from burning forest wood from counting towards renewable energy targets.
- Prioritise forest protection and restoration and ensure that all EU policies safeguard our health, the climate and biodiversity.