Global renewable gas industry renews calls for the European Commission to unlock exports to the EU
London, March 24, 2025, (Oilandgaspress) ––- In a joint statement, Eurogas, Europe’s leading gaseous energy trade association, and 55 organisations from across the global renewable gas supply chain, have called on the European Commission to urgently address barriers preventing their full recognition in the Union Database (UDB). Without immediate action, the industry coalition has warned that significant volumes of renewable energy risks exclusion from EU markets, jeopardising progress towards climate targets and trade relations.
The European Commission first introduced the UDB for transport fuels in 2018 to track sustainable gaseous and liquid fuels moving to and across the EU. Extended to all end uses in 2023, this tool’s purpose is to enable policymakers to better trace the renewable gases and liquids circulating through the EU, improve market transparency and give a better understanding of how the sector is contributing towards decarbonisation targets.
Though the renewable gas sector supports the aims of the UDB, the grid mass balancing mechanism that this uses only applies to EU-integrated grids, according to the European Commission’s interpretation. This means that third-country imports of sustainable biomethane, biomethane-based fuels, and other renewable gases—including from key partners such as the U.K., Ukraine, the U.S., Canada—cannot be recognised for compliance with the EU’s renewable energy targets.
Adam Berman, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Energy UK, the UK’s leading energy trade association, said: “Strengthening the UK and EU’s energy cooperation will be critical to supporting the transition to a more resilient and sustainable system. As key suppliers of renewable gases like biomethane, UK companies have the potential to support Europe’s decarbonisation and boost energy security in an increasingly volatile world. However, the current interpretation of the UDB creates unnecessary barriers for UK exports that complicate this relationship.”
Charles McAllister, Director of the Green Gas Task Force (GGT), said: “The development of a renewable fuels market across Europe is very important and obstacles like the current interpretation of the UDB only make it more difficult to realise these goals.”
The UDB’s current restriction threatens investment in renewable and low-carbon energy markets, disrupts supply chains, and creates uncertainty for industries reliant on sustainable gaseous fuels to meet EU climate goals. In particular, this could affect the maritime sector, as new FuelEU Maritime regulations will from this year require vessel owners to decrease their carbon emissions. It could also set a concerning precedent for hydrogen and its derivatives, which are expected to be integrated into the UDB framework.
Geoffrey Dietz, Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs at the Coalition for Renewable National Gas (RNG), representing over 400 companies across the North American RNG value chain, said: “We support the European Commission’s desire for transparency and accountability in the certification of U.S. renewable natural gas (RNG) and bio-derivative fuel exports to the EU. Our organization and partners have made diligent efforts over the last 18 months to initiate and facilitate transatlantic engagement on this issue. The lack of clear and consistent guidance to address it is impeding the growing international trade of sustainable gaseous fuels that has significant commercial and decarbonization potential for key sectors. In particular, barriers to U.S.-derived bio-methanol and bio-LNG will prevent significant emissions reductions in transatlantic maritime transport. We stand ready to support the immediate implementation of a readily available solution that supports the intent of the UDB while ensuring that U.S. and other third-country imports can continue to assist the EU in reaching its sustainability targets.”
“Certification systems must verify not only a fuel’s carbon intensity but also its sustainability credentials and origin. A harmonised framework would allow shipowners and operators to demonstrate compliance with EU, and potentially IMO, rules regardless of where they bunker, thereby promoting global uptake of genuinely low-emission fuels,” said Bryan Wood-Thomas, VP Environment & Climate for the World Shipping Council.
Recent suggestions that the European Commission would be willing to permit biomethane imports from Ukraine under the UDB have been welcomed by industry.
Andreas Guth, Secretary General of Eurogas, said: “We fully back the aims of the UDB to improve transparency in the gas market, which is why Eurogas stands ready to support policymakers in improving it. The European Commission’s recent indications that it may be willing to recognise Ukrainian imports under the UDB is certainly a step in the right direction. The UDB must be workable in practice to ensure that it does not block crucial imports of renewable gas from third countries, especially at a time when energy security and decarbonisation are so critical.”
Rafik Ammar, Policy Director at electric Natural Gas coalition (eNG), said: “We welcome the prospect of a more pragmatic approach from European policymakers. If the recognition of Ukrainian imports is confirmed, it should set a precedent for extending access to other third countries. Ensuring fair market access and regulatory certainty for all trade partners is crucial to fostering a global renewable gas market.”
Eurogas and co-signatories have specifically urged the European Commission to:
— Ensure a viable solution for third-country exports before the UDB becomes mandatory for gaseous fuels, avoiding unnecessary trade disruptions.
— Establish clear and transparent guidance on the process for recognising imports in the UDB, facilitating cooperation between the Commission and third-country administrations.
— Implement an interim recognition mechanism for sustainable gaseous fuels that meet EU sustainability and greenhouse gas reduction criteria while long-term solutions are developed
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