The campaign Switch4Air It is driven by Bioenergy Europe in collaboration with European Pellet Council, currently chaired by AVEBIOM.
In 2018, no less than 79% of the energy sources used to heat European buildings came from fossil fuels.
This heavy reliance on fossil fuels, coupled with a largely outdated, inefficient, and neglected heating equipment stock, are the main challenges associated with its ongoing transition to decarbonization. It is essential that domestic heating comes from clean, carbon-neutral energy sources.
According to Javier Díaz, president of AVEBIOM, in Spain we can and should use more bioenergy. “"Combustion technology and emissions control continue to improve every day for the proper energy valorization of the enormous and, until now, underutilized biomass potential that we have in our country.".
“The forestry sector – of which only 40% of growth is utilized – and the agricultural sector – in which we are world leaders in the production of olive prunings, vine shoots, byproducts of the oil process, nut shells, etc. – are renewable sources of energy that, in addition to contributing to decarbonizing our economy, increase our energy independence and reduce the outflow of foreign currency to buy fossil fuels.”.
Bioenergy is essential to drive the heating sector towards carbon neutrality and ensure better air quality for Europe
Poor air quality in Europe has various causes. While old, inefficient stoves and open fireplaces can contribute to the problem, new technologies and the use of district heating networks offer clean and efficient options for consumers.
He European Green Deal It has placed heating as a priority issue in the fight against climate change; in this context, the renewable energy sector, particularly bioenergy, becomes a vehicle to achieve carbon neutrality and reduce air pollution.
Our industry is in the driver's seat, ready to steer Europe's heating demand towards greater carbon neutrality, and also to reduce current pollution by replacing fossil fuels and outdated wood-burning equipment with modern biomass heating systems.
Promoting the use of modern, high-efficiency domestic biomass equipment, supporting the replacement of older models, and ensuring their proper maintenance and installation are key actions to reduce particulate matter emissions (PM2.5 and PM10) into the atmosphere.
According to Jean-Marc Jossart, Secretary General of Bioenergy Europe, “There are still many misconceptions about our sector and the role it will play in the EU's energy mix. Bioenergy offers a viable and readily available solution that reduces air pollution and supports the EU's climate objectives.«.
Reducing emissions from the heating sector is fundamental to the energy transition. Jossart calls for political action to promote technological development and the deployment of low-emission, carbon-neutral equipment through coherent financial measures and investments to begin the transition as soon as possible.
About the Switch4Air campaign
The Switch4Air campaign was launched in 2020 with the aim of highlighting the positive impact that modern, carbon-neutral bioenergy technologies can have on air quality in Europe.
Bioenergy Europe seeks to raise awareness among policymakers about the complexities surrounding air quality in Europe and to build a framework for collaboration between politicians, industry, installers and consumers.
The campaign website will provide information on European policies on air quality, data on the heating sector, and national and regional initiatives underway to improve air quality in cities and towns across Europe.
In addition, the campaign aims to raise awareness among end users with simple but effective tips for reducing emissions from their home heating appliances.
More information
Alina Ewa Sulowska
Policy Officer
sulowska@bionenergyeurope.org
Claudio Caferri
Communications Advisor
caferri@bioenergyeurope.org