24 January 2025, published in Euractiv
As the world intensifies its efforts to combat climate change, sectors such as aviation, shipping, and heavy manufacturing remain difficult to decarbonise as they rely heavily on fossil fuels. Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs) and Recycled Carbon Fuels (RCFs) offer a solution to fill this gap. They require investment, clear legislation, and rigorous certification to trigger and scale up their production.
This article is part of Euractiv’s special report Certification as a tool to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
RFNBOs and RCFs: Key Tools for Decarbonising Hard-to-Decarbonise Sectors
RFNBOs, such as green hydrogen and its derivatives like methanol and ammonia, are produced using renewable electricity – typically from wind, solar energy, or hydropower – through processes like electrolysis. Along with bio-based SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) or alternative marine fuels, RFNBOs may be particularly valuable in sectors such as aviation and maritime, where direct electrification is not yet viable. By offering substitutes for fossil fuels, RFNBOs allow these sectors to significantly reduce their emissions without requiring a complete overhaul of their infrastructure, logistics and fleet.