We would like to remind you that the Institute of Cultivation, Fertilization and Soil Science – National Research Institute (IUNG-PIB) in Puławy, commissioned by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, conducts research, among others: in terms of the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agricultural crops used for energy purposes. In Poland, these are corn and rapeseed crops intended for the production of liquid biofuels. The industry is waiting for him, because the rapeseed harvest has already started.
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The price of rapeseed has dropped significantly! PLN 60 in one day
Implementation of the EU Directive
– According to the regulations, in order for agricultural crops to be used to achieve the renewable energy target in transport (the so-called National Indicative Target), they must meet the criteria of sustainable development. One of these criteria is to ensure a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% compared to the fossil equivalent, taking into account the entire life cycle of a given biofuel. In the case of installations for the production of biocomponents that were launched after January 1, 2021, the emission reduction requirement may be up to 65% – reminds the Ministry of Agriculture.
Data for calculating aggregate values. How are they calculated?
IUNG-PIB, based on local agricultural practices, has developed statistical data covering the years 2020-2023 for rapeseed and corn crops, which can be used, among others, to calculate average emission values for the cultivation stage in the biofuel life cycle:
- statistical data on rapeseed cultivation in Poland at the level of NUTS3 regions – (file available for download at the end in the attachments);
- statistical data on the cultivation of corn for grain in Poland at the level of NUTS3 regions (file for download).
The use of this type of data is possible as part of the certification of biofuels by voluntary schemes in accordance with the provisions of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/996. The methodology for calculating greenhouse gas emissions resulting from Directive (EU) 2028/2001 (Annex V, part C, point 5) and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/996 (Annex VII) allows for the determination of emissions from agricultural crops based on:
- actual emission values determined individually at the level of each farm, or
- standard values for crop emissions set out in the Annex to Directive (EU) 2028/2001, or
- average regional emissions from cultivation (NUTS 2) included in national reports and approved by the European Commission, or
- in the absence of appropriate information (NUTS 2), it is allowed to calculate average emissions based on farm group statistics on local agricultural practices, as an alternative to using actual values.
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Report on the emission intensity of rapeseed and corn. Take the survey
Rapeseed and biofuels
It is estimated that from this year's harvest of agricultural raw materials, approximately 3.5 million tons of domestic production can be used to produce biofuels – including approximately 2.3 million tons of rapeseed and approximately 1.2 million tons of corn grain.
The Ministry also provides the legal basis for these calculations:
- Act of August 25, 2006 on biocomponents and liquid biofuels, which implements the EU requirements arising from Directive 2018/2001.
- DIRECTIVE (EU) 2028/2001 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources
- COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) 2022/996 of 14 June 2022 on rules for the verification of sustainability and greenhouse gas emission reduction criteria and low risk of indirect land use change criteria.
