Is energy from woody biomass positive for the climate?
IEA Bioenergy has produced a brief on the question ‘Is energy from woody biomass positive for the climate?’
The brief provides background and a number of concise arguments on this question. Overall, energy from woody biomass can be very positive for the climate, particularly when applying sustainable forest management practices, and when the biomass is used efficiently (such as in combined heat and power plants and biorefineries).
The text is also available at the FAQ section of the IEA Bioenergy website: https://www.ieabioenergy.com/iea-publications/faq/woodybiomass/
See also a letter titled “Forests, bioenergy and climate change mitigation: are the worries justified?” by authors with expertise in forest systems and climate – Letter on forests bioenergy and climate Jan 16_final
