Can NUTS2 values be used for GHG accounting on cultivation level?

Modified on Thu, 1 May at 4:25 PM

NUTS2 values can be used for GHG accounting at the cultivation level, but certain conditions must be met. NUTS2 values, which represent typical GHG emissions for the cultivation of agricultural raw materials in specific territorial regions, may be applied once they have been scrutinized and approved by the European Commission through an Implementing Decision.

At present, the availability of NUTS2 values is limited. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to the European Commission’s list of issued Implementing Decisions and recognized NUTS2 values.

If a NUTS2 value has received positive technical assessment but is not yet fully recognised via an Implementing Decision, the use of NUTS2 values may still be possible if certain criteria are met. Consider the decision tree below regarding the use of NUTS2 values in this situation.

If the use of NUTS2 values prior to full recognition by the EU commission is allowed, please note that NUTS2 values are not direct substitutes for default values. All relevant data to express the NUTS2 value on a per energy basis, using the feedstock factors and allocation factors relevant for the actual supply chain, must be available to the System User issuing the Proof of Sustainability.

The additional field for the regional code in the Sustainability Declaration and Proof of Sustainability templates is not mandatory but highly recommended. At present, member states vary in their treatment of NUTS2 values prior to full recognition. Without the regional code, it may be impossible to verify whether a NUTS2 value is allowed in the specific situation, preventing the use of the NUTS2 value.

This is especially the case if the issuer of the Sustainability Declaration does not know the destination of the biofuel.

Please note that at present the NUTS3 values issued by Poland are not recognized by the European Commission as a substitute for NUTS2 values.

Please have a look at the decision tree below for an understanding of which NUTS2 values can be used for certification and under which conditions:

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