In recent years, the production of pellets derived from forestry biomass to replace coal for electricity generation has been increasing, with over 10 million tonnes traded internationally—primarily ...between United States and Europe but with an increasing trend to Asia. Critical to this trade is the classification of woody biomass as ‘renewable energy’ and thus eligible for public subsidies. However, much scientific study on the net effect of this trend suggests that it is having the opposite effect to that expected of renewable energy, by increasing atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide for substantial periods of time. This review, based on recent work by Europe's Academies of Science, finds that current policies are failing to recognize that removing forest carbon stocks for bioenergy leads to an initial increase in emissions. Moreover, the periods during which atmospheric CO2 levels are raised before forest regrowth can reabsorb the excess emissions are incompatible with the urgency of reducing emissions to comply with the objectives enshrined in the Paris Agreement. We consider how current policy might be reformed to reduce negative impacts on climate and argue for a more realistic science‐based assessment of the potential of forest bioenergy in substituting for fossil fuels. The length of time atmospheric concentrations of CO2 increase is highly dependent on the feedstocks and we argue for regulations to explicitly require these to be sources with short payback periods. Furthermore, we describe the current United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change accounting rules which allow imported biomass to be treated as zero emissions at the point of combustion and urge their revision to remove the risk of these providing incentives to import biomass with negative climate impacts. Reforms such as these would allow the industry to evolve to methods and scales which are more compatible with the basic purpose for which it was designed.
Trade in wood pellets from forestry biomass to replace coal for electricity generation is increasing dramatically. Critical to this trade is the classification of woody biomass as ‘renewable energy’ and thus eligible for public subsidies. However, scientific studies show that it is having the opposite effect and is increasing atmospheric levels of carbon dioxide for substantial periods of time. We argue that EU regulations and the current United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change accounting, which both allow imported biomass to be treated as zero emissions at the point of combustion, should be revised to remove incentives to import biomass with negative climate impacts.
A Finer Future Lovins, L. Hunter; Wallis, Stewart; Wijkman, Anders ...
2018
eBook
Humanity is in a race with catastrophe and charting the course to a regenerative economy is the most important work facing the world. A Finer Future gathers the evidence and delivers the essential ...blueprint for an economy that works for people and the planet.
The unique thing about the 1992 Rio Conference, or more formally UNCED, was the attempt to integrate economic and social development with environmental sustainability. Despite this attempt, far too ...little integration has resulted since the conference. Agenda 21 has been largely turned into an environmental agenda, albeit with shortcomings, at both the international and local levels.
Terms that suggest the mixing, or joining of disciplines evoke many kinds of promises and perhaps also fear among scientists, funding organizations, and decision makers. The multiplicity of such ...expetations leads to the idea that these terms have several different meanings. The kinds of arguments that have been put forward for increased support for interdisciplinary research and sometimes also against such research are examined. Discussed are: 1. the nature of problems, 2. the nature of breakthroughs, and 3. cooperation and cross fertilization.
Despite its crucial importance, water receives undesirably low prominence on the political agenda and is often too little featured in the media. The workshop discussed means of boosting awareness and ...understanding of the issues. Understanding the "unwritten rules" of media and building active relationships will help; a well elaborated strategy for reaching a specific target group is essential, using the most appropriate media. Other channels of communication, e.g. education and marketing campaigns, can be extremely valuable.
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