Low carbon fuels as a scalable solution of Europe’s energy transition

How is FuelsEurope guiding members through the latest EU policy and regulatory changes?

At the core of our work are specialised committees and working groups that bring together technical, regulatory and policy experts from across our membership. These groups closely monitor legislative initiatives, assess their implications, and develop common industry positions. This allows members to anticipate regulatory changes early and align their strategies accordingly. FuelsEurope can benefit from the studies, impact assessments and technical analyses conducted by its sister division Concawe, and provide robust fact based input into policy discussions. It also maintains regular and transparent engagement with the European Commission, the European Parliament and Member State representations, ensuring that policymakers have a clear understanding of the sector’s realities, while keeping members informed of policy direction and expectations. 

What do you see as the most practicalrole for low-carbon liquid fuels in Europe’s transition?

Firstly, they enable immediate and progressive decarbonisation of theexisting fleet and infrastructure. Drop-in renewable and low-carbon fuels can be used in today’s cars, trucks, ships and aircraft, delivering CO2 reductions now, and without additional costs for consumers or public authorities. Secondly, they are essential for hard-to-abate sectors. Aviation, maritime transport, heavy-duty road transport and certain industrial applications will continue to rely on energy-dense liquid fuels for decades. Thirdly, low-carbon & renewable liquid fuels and their co-products support a technology-neutral and resilient transition of all transport segments, construction & machinery, defence and military, as well as the transition of other strategic sectors of the industrial value chain relying on our products, such as the chemical industry. Finally, they play a key role in industrial transformation and investment certainty. 

Where are you seeing real progress in scaling advanced fuels, and what still slows adoption?

Real progress is visible in advanced biofuels, particularly those produced from waste and residues such as used cooking oil, animal fats, and lignocellulosic feedstocks. Several industrial-scale projects are now operating or under construction, supported by EU legislation such as RED III and aviation and maritime initiatives like ReFuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime. Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) are a good example of how our sector is responding to European legislation. However, production uptake is still slowed by several structural barriers; taking the example of SAF, the ramp-up of production beyond 2030 remains uncertain. 

What are you most looking forward to at EGYPES 2026?

Building on my very positive experience participating in previous editions of EGYPS, I am particularly looking forward to the high-level dialogue bringing together policymakers, industry leaders and international partners around the realities of the energy transition.