Experts say wood-burning is not cheaper or truly renewable and constitutes a major health risk. Gary Fuller discusses recent research in an article on the Guardian website. The health cost of burning wood to warm homes Dr Tom Smith is a wildfires scientist. His career has focused on tracking down wildland fires in savannahs and … Continue reading “Wood burning is not a solution for reaching net zero or avoiding high bills for individuals”
Category: biomass
France unveils 2030 energy targets
French Energy Transition Minister Agnès Pannier-Runacher outlines in an interview the government's vision of the trajectory that would enable France to gradually reduce its dependence on fossil fuels. Perrine Mouterde and Adrien Pécout undertake the interview in an article on the Le Monde website. French energy minister: Necessary transition 'is on a scale comparable … Continue reading France unveils 2030 energy targets
New EEA report on the urgent need to prioritise the use of biomass
There are increasing and competing demands for using biomass in the EU, using it for bio-based products in sectors such as construction, energy, transport, furniture and textile industries, but also reserving it for nature conservation and carbon sequestration. The European Environment Agency (EEA) report, published recently, stresses that there is an urgent need to prioritise … Continue reading New EEA report on the urgent need to prioritise the use of biomass
Even when the carbon captured by new trees is taken into account, wood consumption accounts for about one-tenth of the world’s annual GHG emissions
Little is understood about the emissions from harvesting wood. Max Graham writes on the National Observer website about a new report that discusses the impact of the forest industry. Even when the carbon captured by new trees is taken into account, wood consumption accounts for about one-tenth of the world’s annual GHG emissions. There are … Continue reading Even when the carbon captured by new trees is taken into account, wood consumption accounts for about one-tenth of the world’s annual GHG emissions
A political battle over firewood’s future in the EU’s energy transition is playing out in Brussels
As Europe races to replace Russian fossil fuels with cleaner power sources, EU lawmakers are weighing up the future of firewood as a renewable energy source. The debate is getting heated. In an article on the Deutsche Welle website, Sarah Steffen and Tamsin Walker discuss latest developments. EU weighs up future of wood-burning as … Continue reading A political battle over firewood’s future in the EU’s energy transition is playing out in Brussels
New report shows Dutch sustainability criteria for biomass unlawful
A report, published this week by five (inter)national environmental organisations (Biofuelwatch UK, Comite Schone Lucht NL, Leefmilieu, Dogwood Alliance VS and Estonian Fund for Nature ES) shows that the largest certification programme (SBP) used for logging does not meet the Dutch sustainability criteria. Certification appears to be entirely in the hands of the wood pellet … Continue reading New report shows Dutch sustainability criteria for biomass unlawful
Renewable energy statistics are probably overstated because of the way biomass is counted in EU renewable energy statistics, especially when it is burned for heating
The International Energy Agency (IEA) has acknowledged “weaknesses” in how biomass energy is counted in national statistics after several EU countries reported a sudden increase in residential wood burning to meet their 2020 renewable energy goals. Frédéric Simon discusses the statistics in an article on the EURACTIV website. Exposed: How EU countries use firewood … Continue reading Renewable energy statistics are probably overstated because of the way biomass is counted in EU renewable energy statistics, especially when it is burned for heating
Blog from Jane Marsh: How does renewable energy impact air pollution?
Clean, renewable energy is one of the top ways to reduce the carbon emissions entering the air and causing climate change. Switching from fossil fuels to solar and wind power can decrease pollution and prevent further damage. Americans are reducing their fossil fuel use by the year, but eliminating those energy sources doesn’t mean they … Continue reading Blog from Jane Marsh: How does renewable energy impact air pollution?
Coming soon: World Sustainable Energy Days, 21-25 June 2021
Boosting economic recovery with the energy transition! This is the focus of the next World Sustainable Energy Days (WSED) from 21-25 June 2021 in Wels,Austria. Take a look at the programme! The event is a “special edition” of their annual conference as a hybrid event: You can participate online from anywhere in the world. According to current planning, on-site participation will also be possible (following COVID rules in … Continue reading Coming soon: World Sustainable Energy Days, 21-25 June 2021
Clear-cutting old-growth forests to produce wood pellets to replace fossil fuels in electricity generation would release more carbon into the atmosphere than it would save
A new scientific study argues that wood pellets, considered a “carbon neutral” product may not be so neutral. Carl Meyer explains in an article on the National Observer website. Wood pellets from clear-cut, old-growth forests may not be carbon neutral Clear-cutting old-growth forests to produce wood pellets to replace fossil fuels in electricity generation … Continue reading Clear-cutting old-growth forests to produce wood pellets to replace fossil fuels in electricity generation would release more carbon into the atmosphere than it would save
Energy in Demand - Sustainable Energy - Rod Janssen 