More than 170 companies across the European energy sector have sent an open letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, advocating for the continuation of binding targets for renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) as stipulated in the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) beyond 2030. The industry stakeholders argue that rescinding these mandates would negate years of policy development, destabilize the market, and erode confidence in the EU's climate and energy policies, particularly penalizing businesses that have already invested in these technologies.
For freight forwarders and shippers, the stability of regulatory frameworks is crucial for long-term planning and investment in sustainable logistics solutions. The potential removal of these targets could introduce uncertainty regarding the future availability and pricing of alternative fuels, impacting decisions on fleet upgrades and green supply chain initiatives. Maintaining these targets would provide a clearer path for the development and adoption of low-carbon fuels, potentially influencing bunker fuel costs and the availability of green shipping options.
The revised RED III directive aims to boost demand for hydrogen, including RFNBOs, through these binding targets. The industry's plea highlights the importance of consistent policy signals to foster the necessary investments in green hydrogen production and infrastructure, which are vital for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like maritime transport.