The Renewable Energy Directive 2018/2001 (RED) supports the production and promotion of renewable energy across all sectors of the EU economy. The RED revision aims to align the directive with the increased EU 2030 Climate Target by increasing the overall 2030 renewable energy target, currently 32%, and would set sectoral sub-targets in industry, heating and cooling, buildings and transport and revise bioenergy sustainability criteria. The policy revision also includes two delegated acts that will determine whether Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs), including renewable hydrogen, are produced from locally-sourced renewable energy with stringent conditions, and in the case of the second act, if fossil-derived hydrogen will be able to contribute to the renewable energy targets.
After a concerted effort from a highly engaged minority, the Renewable Energy Directive did not introduce binding national targets on renewable energy, nor strengthen the bioenergy sustainability criteria, although the 2030 renewable energy target was increased to 42.5% and a voluntary 45% target was included. Low-carbon hydrogen produced with nuclear energy will be eligible to meet the industry sub-targets for RFNBOs.
Renewable Energy
Inactive: completed. The file was approved in October 2023 and entered into force in November 2023.
Renewable Energy
Inactive: completed. The file was approved in October 2023 and entered into force in November 2023.
On the 27th May, Eurofer’s Director General Axel Eggert was interviewed by Italian news outlet Mosaico Europa, taking supportive positions on the scaling up of green hydrogen in the EU Hydrogen and Gas Decarbonisation Package. However, he advocated against the need for additionality in the Renewable Energy Directive reform and took unsupportive positions on the EU Emissions Trading System and the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
In an open letter to European Union (EU) policymakers on 10 March, industry actors including Eurofer, the International Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers, ArcelorMittal, ČEZ, EDF, and the European Chemical Industry Association (Cefic) advocated that non-renewable low-carbon hydrogen should be recognized in the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive Reform., which would weaken the climate ambition of the policy.
In a social media post on 21st February, SolarPower Europe supported an increased ambition of the EU’s renewable energy legislation, advocating for a 45% renewable energy target by 2030.
In a 13th February press release, Hydrogen Europe CEO Jorgo Chatzimarkakis did not appear to support strict renewable hydrogen production criteria, including the additionality principle, in the Delegated Act on Renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) in the EU Renewable Energy Directive, but welcomed its announcement. Similarly, in a 16th February article from Balkan Green Energy News, RWE CEO Markus Krebber, advocated to weaken renewable hydrogen production criteria, labelling its impact unnecessarily limiting.
In a press release published on 13th February, the CEO of the European Cement Association (CEMBUREAU) Koen Coppenholle opposed the European Union Commission’s proposal for a Renewable Energy Directive Delegated Act on renewable fuels of non-biological origin, opposing the phase out date of 2035 for the consideration of industrial saved CO2 as a sustainably synthetic fuel.
In a social media post on 3rd February, the Corporate Leaders Group advocated for EU member states to adopt a higher 45% renewable energy target by 2030.
A Freedom of Information request from a 14th June 2022 meeting between EU Commissioner Kadri Simson and Anglo American yielded insights into Anglo American’s positions on the EU hydrogen economy. While the company supported more ambitious hydrogen infrastructure provisions under the EU Alternative Fuel Infrastructure Regulation, and supported the EU Hydrogen Strategy, Anglo American engaged more negatively on other areas of hydrogen regulation in the EU. This included supporting the EU Renewable Energy Directive’s sub-targets for renewable hydrogen and hydrogen-based synthetic fuels in transport and industry, but expressing unclear positions on strict rules for renewable hydrogen production; supporting the development of hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric vehicles, while calling for a technology neutral approach to decarbonizing transport and not supporting a full phase out of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles; and supporting the EU’s carbon dioxide emissions standards for cars and vans while not supporting an ICE phase out.
In several December 2022 tweets, SolarPower Europe supported the EU's emergency regulation to accelerate renewables permitting and a 45% renewables target in the EU by 2030.
In a tweet posted on 15th December, Eurelectric supported the European Parliament vote on the Renewable Energy Directive (RED IV).
In a joint statement published on 12th December, a number of entities including Acciona, Enel, Iberdrola, Orsted, Siemens Energy, SolarPower Europe and WindEurope advocated for the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) to only include renewable hydrogen and exclude hydrogen from nuclear and fossil fuel sources.
In several press releases in December surrounding the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and EU Emissions Trading System Reform trilogues, Eurofer Director General Axel Eggert supported weakening the EU ETS reform and CBAM, advocating for export rebates to be included in the CBAM. He also was unsupportive of proposed measures in delegated acts in the Renewable Energy Directive Reform on carbon capture use and storage and renewable hydrogen.
In a 6th December joint letter to EU Energy and Transport ministers, companies and industry groups including BP, E.ON, Engie, Rolls Royce, Repsol, Uniper, Siemens Energy, and Hydrogen Europe called for more ambitious hydrogen targets, under the renewable fuels of non-biological origin definition, for the transport sector in the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
Industry association Hydrogen Europe called for the EU Renewable Energy Directive Delegated Act on RFNBOs to weaken strict renewable hydrogen criteria in a 6th December Twitter post, by advocating for a longer transitional period until 2030 before rules are due to be applied.
On 7th December in a joint letter directly to EU policymakers on the hydrogen market, EU industry associations including Eurofer, European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), CEMBUREAU, Eurogas, Hydrogen Europe, and the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers advocated to weaken the proposed Renewable Energy Directive delegated acts on the additionality principle and on the GHG emissions of renewable fuels of non-biological origin and recycled carbon fuels.
In a November 28th open letter from EU industry, several entities including Eurelectric, European Chemical Industry Council (Cefic), Eurofer, EDF and ArcelorMittal, advocated for the inclusion of ‘low carbon’ hydrogen in the EU Renewable Energy Directive III and Hydrogen and Gas Market Decarbonization Package, which can include non-renewable hydrogen sources.
On 2nd November, the German chemicals association Verband der Chemischen Industrie (VCI) published an evaluation of the EU Green Deal. In the text the association generally supported the EU’s 2050 target, but expressed major concerns about different elements of the EU ETS reform, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, Energy Efficiency Directive and Renewable Energy Directive.
In an open letter to the President of the EU Council on 18th October, Corporate Leaders Group Europe and SolarPower Europe advocated for more ambitious, binding targets in the EU Energy Efficiency Directive and the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
In a tweet on 5 October, SolarPower Europe strongly supported a renewable energy target of 45% for 2030 in the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED).
In a 6th October joint letter to European policymakers, Hydrogen Europe called for the EU to insert weaker criteria for renewable hydrogen production in the Delegated Act on Renewable Fuels from non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs), and then adopt the updated version within the EU Renewable Energy Directive revision. This included delaying the additionality principle until 2028, and offering more flexibility to producers.
In a 26th September blog post on its corporate website, Fortum advocated for the REPowerEU proposal to support a technology neutral approach and provide less of a focus on renewable energy. The post did not support strengthening European energy efficiency policy and reducing energy demand, stating it would overlap with other climate objectives and the EU Emissions Trading Scheme. It also did not support stringent criteria for renewable hydrogen production, including the additionality principle, in the EU Renewable Energy Directive reform.
The Federation of German Industries (BDI) published a position paper on the EU’s Fit for 55 package on 20th September, in which the association laid out its opposition to the 2035 zero emissions vehicle standard proposed by the EU Commission. In addition, the association supported quotas for low-CO2 and climate neutral aviation fuels as part of ReFuelEU Aviation, while emphasizing the risk of carbon leakage and the need for flexibility to compensate for additional costs, and called for "ambitious but realistic" quotas for biofuels in the Renewable Energy Directive (RED).
In the same position paper, BDI advocated for a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) test phase which only includes industries that support it, and the maintenance of free emissions allowances in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). Furthermore, the entity supported the extension of the EU ETS for road transport and buildings, but not for aviation, and it did not support “inappropriate” Minimum-Energy-Performance-Standards (MEPS) in the Energy Performance Buildings Directive (EPBD), as well as not supporting an energy consumption cap in the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED).
In a 30th September LinkedIn post, Hydrogen Europe supported the EU Parliament’s decision to remove stringent criteria for renewable hydrogen production, including the additionality principle and Delegated Act on Renewable Fuels from non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs) in the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) reform.
Recharge News reported in a 13th September article that industry association, Hydrogen Europe, urged European Members of Parliament to support an amendment to remove the additionality principle, and weaken rules on renewable hydrogen producers in the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) Delegated Act.
In a 14th July open letter to the EU Commission, Enel, Iberdrola and EDP supported a key Delegated Act within the Renewable Energy Directive, advocating for application of the ‘additionality principle’ to ensure hydrogen is produced with extra renewable energy capacity, and advocating against proposals to delay the application of the principle via a ‘grandfathering clause’.
Several European industry associations including Hydrogen Europe, Eurogas, the International Association of Oil and Gas Producers (IOGP), and the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), released a 15th July joint statement. In which, theu advocated for the weakening of the requirements for renewable hydrogen in the Delegated Act on Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs) within the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive revision. It called to extend a grandfathering clause, proposed by the European Commission to delay strict additionality requirements until 2027, to 2030, and advocated to weaken geographical and temporal correlation requirements on renewable hydrogen. Signatories
In a 12th July press release, industry association Hydrogen Europe advocated for a more ambitious blending mandate for synthetic fuels and the inclusion of green hydrogen in the ReFuelEU Aviation legislature. CEO Jorgo Chatzimarkakis called for higher ambition in the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED) 2030 targets, advocating for a 45% target by 2030 and higher transport sector sub-targets in a 13th July press release. However, he also supported weakening strict requirements for renewable hydrogen in the RED Delegated Act on Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs).
In a 27th June press release, Hydrogen Europe welcomed the European Parliament position on the EU Emission Trading Scheme (ETS). The association supported the EU ETS extension into the maritime and aviation sectors, and a new scheme for the buildings and transport sectors. It also advocated for coverage of the hydrogen sector in the system. Hydrogen Europe also appeared to support the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) proposal from the EU Parliament. The group supported the gradual phase out of free allowances from the EU ETS, without specifying a timeline. However, it also called for rebates for exporters by emphasizing risk of carbon leakage. Finally, CEO Jorgo Chatzimarkakis advocated for higher sectoral sub-targets and targets for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) in the EU Renewable Energy Directive revision, following the EU Council’s position on the policy.
A 21st June Argus Media article reported that industry association Hydrogen Europe supported weakening the EU Commission's proposal for the Renewable Energy Directive, by supporting less ambitious thresholds for renewable hydrogen.
In a position paper, published on 13th June, CEMBUREAU opposed the removal of taxation exemptions for mineralogical processes in the reform of the Energy Taxation Directive, and stressed the policy should avoid overlap with the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). On the 17th June, CEMBUREAU also published responses to the EU Commission’s consultations on the Renewable Energy Directive reform Delegated Act on fuels of Renewable Non Biological Origin (RNFBOs), both of which did not support the EU Commission’s proposal. The association did not support simultaneity and location criteria, and suggested that CO2 accounting for GHG savings from recycled carbon fuels should not apply upstream.
Industry association Hydrogen Europe appeared to support a weakening of the Delegated Acts in the EU Renewable Energy Directive. The group supported including a grandfathering clause to delay stricter guidelines for renewable hydrogen projects until 2027, and did not support strict temporal correlation guidelines in a 24th May position paper.
In a position paper published on 19th May, Eurofer advocated to weaken the reform of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) by supporting the inclusion of recycled carbon fuels and advocating for more flexible additionality criteria. The association also did not support proposed GHG emission standards for cogeneration in the Energy Efficiency Directive reform.
On 11th May, ahead of the REPowerEU plan, Corporate Leaders Group (CLG) Europe published a joint letter that advocated for increased ambition on the Renewable Energy Directive, and advocated for increased ambition and action on the Energy Efficiency Directive and Energy Performance of Building Directives.
In a 12th May statement, the European Round Table for Industry (ERT) communicated high-level support for the EU's Renewable Energy Directive and other renewable energy incentives, including power purchase agreements. In the same statement, ERT supported an acceleration of energy efficiency initiatives, and for a number of measures to strengthen the proposed Energy Efficiency Directive.
An open letter to EU policymakers on 19th April, initiated by Air Liquide's Head of Innovation Dr. Armin Günther, supported a long-term role for internal combustion engine vehicles in the EU, advocating for EU policies (including the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, the Energy Taxation Directive, CO2 Standards for Light and Heavy Duty Vehicles and the Renewable Energy Directive) to support e-fuels and hydrogen over the electrification of transportation. The letter stated that “electromobility will in all likelihood not lead to any significant greenhouse gas reductions in the period up to 2030, which is crucial for the long-term success or failure of climate protection. In particular to, the high CO2 emissions caused by the construction of batteries, the high share of fossil fuels in power generation that will still exist for a long time and the enormous expense for the charging infrastructure.”
In an EU public consultation response on 12th April, BusinessEurope advocated for shorter permitting processes for renewable energy plants and increased support for power purchase agreements in the reform of the Renewable Energy Directive and the RePowerEU initiative. However, the association also supported keeping concessions for energy-intensive industry, in the form of renewable energy levy reductions.
On the 25th February, CEMBUREAU published a position paper arguing against a reform of the Renewable Energy Directive to remove exemptions for waste biomass from GHG saving criteria, advocating that the cement industry uses waste biomass to replace fossil fuels in the production process.
On the 24th February, in Recharge News, Hydrogen Europe CEO, Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, advocated against the additionality principle within the Delegated Act on renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO) within Renewable Energy Directive (RED) revision. Despite, the European Commission advocating for the additionality principle in its Fit for 55 proposal for the RED. The principle demands renewable energy capacity required for renewable hydrogen be met with new, and not existing, renewable energy capacity.
In its January position paper on the EU Renewable Energy Directive revision, trade association Eurelectric supported the increase in 2030 renewable energy target to at least 40%. However, appeared to be cautious on improvements to the sustainability criteria for bioenergy, and sought further clarification on the fuel-neutral credit mechanism for the transport sector.
In feedback to the EU Commission in November 2021, Confindustria appeared to adopt mixed positions on the EU Renewable Energy Directive reform, supporting sector targets and removal of barriers to accelerate renewables deployment, but also advocating for a role for decarbonized gases, potentially leading to inclusion of fossil fuels in the directive.
In a December 2021 report, the European Round Table for Industry appeared to support the Renewable Energy Directive with minor exceptions, supporting guarantees of origin without clearly stating just for renewable hydrogen, and advocating for a large range of feedstocks to be compatible in the directive.
A joint letter, including trade association Hydrogen Europe and numerous other companies across sectors, appears to call on European policymakers to replace stringent criteria, including the additionality principle, with more flexible approaches in the Delegated Act on Renewable Fuels from Non-biological Origin (RFNBOs) in the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
In a position paper on hydrogen the European Round Table for Industry appeared not to fully support the ‘additionality’ criteria for green hydrogen production in the EU Renewable Energy Directive, advocating that the EU should take a “pragmatic” approach so as not to lead to higher investment costs.
BusinessEurope released a position paper on the Fit for 55 package, which supported the revision of the Renewable Energy Directive with major exceptions regarding the implementation of binding targets and the inclusion of bioenergy. It did not support several reforms to the Energy Efficiency Directive as it was unsupportive of the increase in energy savings obligations and excluding the direct use of fossil fuels to achieve energy savings.
In a position paper on the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED), the International Federation of Industrial Energy Consumers (IFIEC)advocated that the policy should be based on technology neutrality and supported including recycled carbon fuels in RED. The position paper also supported the revision of the Energy Efficiency Directive with major exceptions as it stressed that low-carbon technologies use more energy than fossil fuels.
SolarPower Europe released a position paper on the amendment to the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive, in which the energy sector trade association advocated for a 2030 renewable energy target of at least 45%. The group also called for the maintenance of a strong definition for renewable hydrogen and an improvement to planning processes for rooftop solar PV deployment.
Eurelectric released a reaction paper to the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive revision, in which the group stated support for higher ambition in the 2030 targets. However, the association highlighted concerns with the implementation of the additionally principle, geographical and temporal correlation, and the repeated strengthening of biomass sustainability criteria.
Cefic released a position paper detailing its position on the EU Commission’s proposed reform to the Renewable Energy Directive (RED), which supported the policy with major exceptions. Cefic supported a technology neutral approach, and advocated for the inclusion of low-carbon fuels in RED targets. Cefic also supported including renewable hydrogen in the RFNBO target, but stressed that it could crowd out other low-carbon hydrogen production.
EnBW released a COP26 page on its corporate website discussing several elements of EU climate policy. The company stated support for the reforms made to the EU ETS, in particular suggesting waiting till after 2030 to integrate emissions trading systems for the buildings and road transport sectors.
However, the company appeared to advocate against increased ambition in the EU’s Energy Efficiency Directive, highlighting issues with the inclusion of new CHP high-efficiency criteria. Similarly, it supported a weakening of the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive, by suggesting the criteria for renewable hydrogen and bioenergy were too strong.
Finally, EnBW advocated for a greater role for fossil gas in EU policy. The company called for the weakening of the EU's taxonomy, particularly by including fossil gas for heating/cooling generation as a transitional activity. EnBW also suggested that the EU's Hydrogen and Gas Decarbonization Package applies too much pressure to transition away from fossil gas.
Hydrogen Europe’s CEO Jorgo Chatzimarkakis appeared to support a weakening of the EU Renewable Energy Directive’s Delegated Act on renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) in a LinkedIn post. In which he claimed to support the additionality principle, the separation of renewable electricity deployment for renewable hydrogen from other renewable energy targets, but stated its implementation would harm renewable hydrogen production. The post also advocated for the EU Commission to not discriminate against fossil-fuel produced hydrogen.
Several power sector trade groups welcomed the EU’s Fit for 55 climate legislative package. Eurelectric launched a new Fit for 55 webpage, in which the association stated strong support for legislative measures, including EU ETS reforms, and revisions to the Renewable Energy Directive and Energy Taxation Directive. Similar supportive views were also shared from WindEurope and SolarPower Europe.
The table below lists the entities found to be most engaged with the policy. The entities are ranked by performance band. InfluenceMap tracks over 500 companies and 250 industry associations globally. Each entity name links to its full InfluenceMap profile, where the evidence of its engagement can be found.
| Influencemap Performance Band | Organization | Policy Position | Policy Engagement Intensity |
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