UBA (German Environment Agency) RFNBO recognition to contribute to GHG quota

The 37th Ordinance under Germany’s Federal Immission Control Act (37. BImSchV), as outlined in Bundestag document 20/9844, expands the greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction quota system to include renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs), aligning certification, definitions, and methodology with EU RFNBO Delegated Acts. Introduced in 2015, the GHG quota system replaced biofuel blending mandates, with targets rising from 3.5% in 2015 to 25% by 2030. Fuel suppliers are responsible for compliance, and electricity used in electric vehicles also counts toward the quota, limiting RFNBO uptake. Non-compliance incurs a €600/tCO₂ penalty, while tradeable certificates create a variable incentive based on market dynamics. Multipliers for transport start at 3 in 2024 and phase out by 2038, with higher values for aviation and shipping. As of February 2025, UBA recognizes CertifHy, ISSC EU, and REDCert as valid certification schemes for RFNBOs, enabling renewable fuel plants to generate tradeable GHG reduction certificates. The value of this support has declined from around €6/kg in April 2023 to €1.5/kg in December 2024.

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