Governance & Policy
Renewable Energy Directive (RED)
European Union directive setting binding renewable energy targets and the sustainability criteria that bioenergy and renewable fuels must meet.
Definition
The Renewable Energy Directive, Directive (EU) 2018/2001 as substantially amended in 2023 (RED III), establishes the EU's binding target for the share of renewables in gross final energy consumption and defines sustainability and greenhouse-gas-saving criteria for biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels, alongside rules for renewable hydrogen and permitting.
Quick reference
At a glance
- Subject
- Governance & Policy
- Editorial status
- Editorial draft
- Definition status
- Established
- Last updated
- 19 August 2026
- Also known as
- RED · RED II · RED III · Directive (EU) 2018/2001
Overview
What it means
It determines both how much renewable energy the EU must deploy and which fuels legally count as renewable and sustainable.
How it is used
Fuel suppliers certify feedstocks under its criteria; energy ministries transpose targets; developers cite its permitting rules.
Why it matters
Its sustainability criteria shape global bioenergy supply chains, and its targets drive the EU's clean-energy build-out.
Review
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