Wildfire Resilience and Biomass Supply

05 Oct, 2023
Location: Québec (Canada)
Task 43RegularIEA Bioenergy

Workshop organized by IEA Bioenergy Task 43 (Biomass Supply) and Université Laval.

Date: October 5th, 2023

Location: Département des sciences du bois et de la forêt, Faculté de foresterie, de géographie et de géomatique, Université Laval, 325 Rue de l’Université, Québec, QC G1V 0A6

Objectives

  • To explore policies and projects aimed at increasing community resilience to wildfires while utilizing biomass for energy or other bioproducts, thereby reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • To provide insights and knowledge from best practices and case studies that can inform policy development. Of special interest for the CAN federal government: call for proposals for the Wildfire Resilient Futures Initiative in late fall/early winter
  • To examine the financial viability of utilizing recovered fibre to generate bioenergy/bioproducts, offsetting costs associated with wildfire mitigation and restoration.

These objectives align with priorities set by the Government of Canada, focusing on increasing wildfire resilience efforts and promoting sustainable biomass utilization.

Workshop Description: Given the intense fire season in 2023 in Canada and other countries, there is an urgent need to increase efforts to enhance wildfire resilience while promoting a sustainable and reliable biomass supply. Biomass recovery from wildfire prevention and mitigation treatments, such as thinnings, as well as post-fire harvest activities, involving the sustainable extraction of biomass from wildfire-affected areas, have the potential to serve as a source of biomass. Nevertheless, several factors, such as the difficulties and risks posed by terrain and conditions in recently burned areas, can be challenging to manage.

This workshop will serve to share insights and best practices that can inform policies to enhance community resilience against wildfires and promote sustainable biomass supply. The workshop addressed the financial viability of collecting biomass for bioenergy/bioproducts to offset wildfire mitigation and restoration costs. Participants will explore policies and projects for wildfire resilience and a sustainable biomass supply chain that can contribute to reduced GHG emissions.

Agenda

The workshop presentations can be accessed here.