In a significant stride towards environmental stewardship, Hrvatske šume d.o.o. has been awarded the SURE certificate, affirming its commitment to sustainable biomass production. The certification, a testament to the company’s adherence to stringent sustainability criteria, was presented after a successful audit, underscoring Hrvatske šume’s role as a leader in the renewable energy sector.
This development comes in the wake of the European Union’s Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/2066, which set forth sustainability criteria for biomass fuels. These regulations mandate that biomass used for energy production in facilities with more than 20 MW of thermal power or entities part of the EU Emissions Trading System must be certified as sustainable. Without such certification, biomass is classified akin to fossil fuels, highlighting the importance of sustainable practices in combating climate change.
Hrvatske šume d.o.o.’s choice of the Sustainable Resources (SURE) certification scheme is particularly noteworthy. This voluntary certification mechanism is tailored to ensure that biomass production meets the EU’s sustainability benchmarks, spanning the entire supply chain from production to delivery. With biomass from Hrvatske šume d.o.o. constituting a significant portion of Croatia’s biomass output, this certification ensures that the company’s environmental footprint is markedly different from that of fossil fuel-based energy sources.
Nediljko Dujić, the CEO of Hrvatske šume d.o.o., emphasized the critical nature of sustainability throughout the biomass production and utilization chain. “It’s imperative that our biomass production not only supports Croatia’s energy needs but does so in a manner that significantly reduces our ecological footprint compared to fossil fuels, reflecting positively on the entire Croatian economy,” Dujić stated.
The certification ceremony, attended by Hrvatske šume’s management, TÜV Nord certifying body representatives, and the German Ambassador to Croatia, Christian Hellbach, marks a pivotal moment for renewable energy in Croatia. It not only highlights Hrvatske šume d.o.o.’s leadership in sustainable biomass production but also sets a benchmark for environmental responsibility in the broader European energy landscape.
