The Sustainability Decree published. Gattoni (CIB): ‘A long-awaited and important clarification in order to be able to apply the support regulations for plants. Application takes into account the peculiarities of agricultural production’

The new interministerial decree establishing the national sustainability certification system for biofuels was published today in the Official Journal. The measure updates the 2019 decree by extending its scope, previously referring only to biofuels and bioliquids. The decree is an indispensable tool for accessing the development measures for biogas and biomethane production envisaged by recent governmental measures, and is in addition to the new regulatory framework aimed at fostering the agro-ecological transition as envisaged by EU directives.
“The issuance of the sustainability decree allows the sector to have a clearer picture of the path that farms will have to take to produce biogas and biomethane and to be able to access the related support mechanisms provided by the government,” said Piero Gattoni, President of the CIB.
The decree, in addition to updating the rules for certifying the sustainability of biomethane according to Legislative Decree 199/2021, introduces for the first time the path that existing plants producing electricity from biogas will also have to follow.
“As a consortium, we have closely followed the process of defining this important measure, and we are satisfied that our requests for simplifications regarding the use of livestock manure and the extension of the transitional period for existing biogas plants have been accepted. For the latter, certification, although important for demonstrating and guaranteeing compliance with the environmental requirements of the energy produced, represents an additional burden with increased time and costs for the system, which is unjustified especially for small plants.  We therefore hope that the adjustment path will take place taking into account the peculiarities of a supply chain that is well rooted in the territory and thanks to the continuous dialogue between all those involved,’ President Gattoni concludes.