CENSATIMAll guides →Energy · EU Taxonomy Activity Guide
Geothermal energy under the EU Taxonomy
Geothermal electricity and heat qualify under a single clean test: life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions below 100 gCO2e/kWh. Closed-loop and reinjecting systems pass comfortably; open systems in gassy fields need abatement evidence. DNSH adds subsurface-specific points: induced seismicity management, fluid handling and groundwater protection.
Why this activity matters
Geothermal provides firm, weather-independent renewable energy for power and district heat, and its Taxonomy treatment is among the simplest in the energy chapter: one life-cycle threshold, technology-neutral across flash, binary and heat-only plants. The emissions question concentrates on the geofluid: fields with high dissolved CO2 need reinjection or abatement to stay under the ceiling.
Commercially, geothermal assessments support project financing of new developments and district heating conversions, both growth areas as heat decarbonisation accelerates. The DNSH set reflects the subsurface: seismicity monitoring and response protocols, well integrity, and brine and fluid management are the recurring documentary requests.
What alignment requires
One threshold, plus subsurface-aware DNSH. In summary:
| Area | What is required (summarised) |
|---|---|
| Life-cycle emissions | Life-cycle GHG emissions below 100 gCO2e/kWh, evidenced by an ISO-compliant assessment; geofluid CO2 content and reinjection or abatement arrangements are the main variables. |
| Heat and cogeneration | Geothermal district heat and CHP qualify under the parallel heat/cool and cogeneration activities using the same emissions logic. |
Summarised for orientation; the assessment itself applies the full criteria text of the Delegated Acts as amended.
Where DNSH scrutiny falls
Geofluid and brine handling, H2S abatement where relevant, and well integrity documentation.
Groundwater protection and reinjection permits; thermal impacts on aquifers for shallow systems.
Site screening for drilling and plant footprint; protected-area proximity where relevant.
CRVA for surface installations; resource sustainability over the operating life.
Documentation that typically supports the assessment
- Life-cycle emissions assessment including geofluid CO2 treatment
- Reinjection scheme and permits
- Seismicity monitoring and response protocol
- Well integrity and fluid management documentation
- EIA / screening outcomes for the site
How Censatim assesses it
Geothermal questioning centres on the geofluid and the loop design, because they drive the life-cycle figure, then covers the subsurface DNSH items that generic tools typically miss: seismicity protocols, reinjection permits and well integrity. Closed-loop district heating projects are among the fastest energy assessments we run.
Censatim is an expert-built EU Taxonomy assessment tool: describe the asset or activity in plain language, upload supporting documents, and answer a short set of targeted questions. The result is a criterion-by-criterion view with an In-line / Partial / Not aligned / Undetermined rating and a confidence level for each dimension. See the full methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Assess geothermal energy now
Free eligibility in under a minute. The sector and activity are pre-filled for you.