The EU’s grand new plan to replace fossil fuels with trees

By Leonie Cater
Politico EU
November 27, 2025
Category: Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy
Region: International

BRUSSELS — The European Commission has unveiled a new plan to end the dominance of planet-heating fossil fuels in Europe’s economy — and replace them with trees. The Bioeconomy Strategy aims to replace fossil fuels in products like plastics, building materials, chemicals and fibers with organic materials that regrow, such as trees. “The bioeconomy holds enormous opportunities for our society, economy and industry,” EU environment chief Jessika Roswall said, in front of a staged backdrop of bio-based products, including a bathtub made of wood composite and clothing from the H&M “Conscious” range. …The bioeconomy strategy aims to address both drawbacks by using locally produced or recycled carbon-rich biomass rather than imported fossil fuels. …“The forest industry welcomes the Commission’s approach,” said Viveka Beckeman, of the Swedish Forest Industries Federation, stressing the need to “boost the use of biomass as a strategic resource that benefits not only green transition but the overall economic security.”

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