The EU has set indicative, rather than binding, targets for RFNBOs
EU Council weakens hydrogen targets
Council agrees non-binding goals for renewable fuels of non-biological origin in transport and industry
The Council of the EU has adopted a negotiating position on the Renewable Energy Directive that targets a 2.6pc share of renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBO) in transport by 2030. RFNBOs consist mostly of renewable hydrogen and hydrogen-based synthetic fuels. The Council also agreed that 35pc of the hydrogen used in industry should come from RFNBOs by 2030 and 50pc by 2035. Both targets are “indicative” rather than “binding”—meaning there is no legal recourse if they are not met. Both had been binding under the initial European Commission proposal and have been comprehensively diluted, according to Jorgo Chatzimarkakis, CEO of industry group Hydrogen Europe. “Shifting from bindin
Also in this section
4 February 2026
Europe’s largest electrolyser manufacturers are losing patience with policymakers as sluggish growth in the green hydrogen sector undermines their decision to expand production capacity
2 February 2026
As a fertiliser feedstock, it is indispensable, but ammonia’s potential as a carbon-free energy carrier is also making it central to global decarbonisation strategies
28 January 2026
The development of hydrogen’s distribution system must speed up if the industry is to stand any chance of grabbing a meaningful slice of the low-carbon energy market
14 January 2026
Continent’s governments must seize the green hydrogen opportunity by refining policies and ramping up the development of supply chains and infrastructure
