European biomass associations support non-binding sustainability criteria

15 December 2009

A group of European biomass, biogas and forestry trade associations have come out in support of non-binding criteria on sustainability for solid and gaseous biomass for heat and electricity.

The Consortium of European Biomass Associations, which features the European Biomass Association (AEBIOM) and the European Biomass Industry Association (EUBIA); European forestry associations, European State Forest Association (EUSTAFOR), Confederation of European Forest Owners (CEPF) and Bureau of Nordic Family Forestry (NSF); and the European Biogas Association (EBA),  have said that the current non-binding measures on the table at the European Commission w would provide adequate guarantees for the sustainability of biomass.

According to the directive for the promotion of energy from renewable sources (RES Directive), the European Commission has until December 2009 to publish a report evaluating the sustainability criteria of solid biomass.

Jean-Marc Jossart, secretary general of AEBIOM, said, ‘It seems that the European Commission intends to provide an accurate analysis of the biomass use for heating, cooling and electricity and propose sensible measures such as the non-binding recommendations to the Member States on how to ensure the sustainability of biomass.’

At present, 24 per cent of biomass comes from dedicated biomass from agriculture and forestry, with the rest from agricultural and forestry by-products and residues. The European forest area is increasing by 500,000 hectares a year – double the size of Luxembourg. According to the associations, Europe only uses 60 per cent of annual forest growth, giving the option of increased sustainable biomass use.

EUSTAFOR has recommended making recommendations to Euro zone member states based on existing criteria as the best way to secure trade for sustainable biomass.

Morten Thoroe, secretary general, CEPF, said, ‘The risks of using unsustainable biomass are low. The EU biomass production is covered already by the existing framework for agriculture, forestry and environment. These include the cross-compliance rules, environmental legislation, sustainable forest management practice and voluntary forest certification scheme.’

The associations also support the exclusion of small scale producers of under 1MW thermal or electrical capacity, claiming that monitoring these operators would be costly and ineffective, and urged the promotion of efficiency measures.

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Tags: biomass

This story was published on Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 at 4:03 pm and is filed under Features, North America, biomass/biofuel, policy. You can follow any responses to article entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

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