Written question asked by Ian Taylor (Conservative) on Wednesday, 10 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Friday, 12 March 2010. It was answered by David Kidney (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 March 2010 on behalf of the Department of Energy and Climate Change.

Biomass

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what recent progress he has made on the development of sustainability indicators for biomass.

Answer: The renewable energy directive, published in June 2009, includes sustainability criteria that transport biofuels, and bioliquids used for heat and electricity generation must meet in order to receive financial support and to count towards the directive's renewable energy targets. On 25 February 2010, the European Commission published its recommendations on the sustainability requirements member states should include if they decide to introduce sustainability criteria for the use of solid and gaseous biomass sources for heat and electricity generation. In the light of this, DECC will make an announcement later this month, setting out what actions the Government can now take to introduce sustainability standards for biomass in the UK.

Secondary information