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Joint Statement on the Role of Renewable Fuels in the Energy Transition of Heating

Eurofuel has joined a broad coalition of organisations representing renewable fuel producers, suppliers and users in issuing a Joint Statement on the Role of Renewable Fuels in the Energy Transition of Heating.

The statement calls on the European Commission to recognise renewable molecules, including renewable fuels for heating, as an essential component of a climate-neutral, decarbonised and affordable heating sector.

Published ahead of the European Commission's forthcoming Heating and Cooling Strategy, the joint statement highlights the need for a technology-neutral policy framework that enables all sustainable energy solutions to contribute to Europe's energy transition.

Heating and cooling account for around 50% of the European Union's final energy consumption, making the sector central to achieving the EU's climate objectives. While electrification and energy efficiency will play a major role, the signatories emphasise that they alone cannot address the diverse heating needs of households, businesses, agriculture and industry across Europe.

Renewable liquid fuels offer an immediate and practical solution by enabling significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions through existing heating appliances, fuel distribution networks and storage infrastructure. They also strengthen energy security and system resilience by providing renewable energy that can be stored, transported and supplied when and where it is needed most.

"Europe's heating transition should be guided by technology neutrality," said Federica Miano, Secretary General of Eurofuel. "Renewable liquid fuels are available today and can help decarbonise existing heating systems without requiring costly equipment replacement or major infrastructure upgrades. The forthcoming Heating and Cooling Strategy should acknowledge their role alongside electrification to deliver a resilient, affordable and climate-neutral heating sector."

The Joint Industry Statement calls on the European institutions to ensure that the future Heating and Cooling Strategy and the post-2030 climate and energy framework fully reflect the contribution of renewable molecules, including renewable fuels for heating, by:

• Recognising renewable molecules, including renewable fuels for heating, alongside electrification as essential components of a resilient, affordable and climate-neutral heating system.
• Establishing technology-neutral policy mechanisms that create long-term demand and provide investment certainty for producers, suppliers and consumers.
• Supporting the widest possible range of sustainable feedstocks through robust, practical and well-functioning sustainability certification frameworks.
• Ensuring that future heating and cooling policies value emissions reductions achieved through all sustainable renewable energy carriers and technologies, allowing consumers and businesses to choose the most appropriate decarbonisation pathway.
• Ensuring a cost-effective transition that protects vulnerable and rural consumers while enabling a gradual market uptake in line with the availability of sustainable renewable fuels.

The signatories also underline that the current regulatory framework for heating and cooling remains fragmented and, in some cases, creates unnecessary burdens to the deployment of renewable fuels. Greater policy certainty is needed to unlock investment across the renewable fuel value chain, accelerate production and provide consumers with practical, affordable decarbonisation options.

For Eurofuel, recognising renewable liquid fuels as part of the future European heating mix will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, reinforce energy security, improve system resilience and make the best use of Europe's existing energy infrastructure.