Summary

While the European Union strives to achieve more ambitious climate goals, one of the tactics that it has undertaken in this regard is sector coupling and decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors. Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origins- RFNBOs- can be considered an important tool in addressing sector coupling. The EU put special emphasis on RFNBO development by setting specific targets for transport and industry by the means of the Renewable Energy Directive which is also supplemented by Commission Delegated Acts. There have been voices that perhaps the legal framework for the uptake of RFNBOs introduces too stringent requirements which can in turn be counterproductive when it comes to achieving decarbonization. This paper assessed the EU Legal framework for RFNBOs especially in the context of the Delegated Acts and discussed the potential challenges that it could have in the light of sector coupling goals. Certain areas that can be affected by the Delegated Acts are identified and critically assessed. While there is no doubt that there is a need for RFNBO regulation, some solutions could be reassessed if the European Union wants to make substantial progress towards sector coupling.