Task Force highlights potential of biomass to reduce CO2 emissions
Thu 27 October 2005
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The final report of the Government-commissioned Biomass Task Force says that greater exploitation of biomass for heating and electricity is one of the cheapest ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The Task Force concludes that by switching from the use of fossil fuels to biomass, businesses can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of £10-£20 a tonne - less than the £21 a tonne they now pay to emit a tonne of carbon dioxide under the EU's greenhouse gas trading scheme.
Sir Ben Gill, who chaired the Biomass Taskforce, said: "This is the low-hanging fruit on the carbon-saving tree."
The European Environment Agency (EEA) is currently working on a report: 'How much biomass can Europe use without harming the environment?'
The preliminary conclusion of the EEA's work is that significant biomass is available to support ambitious renewable energy targets in 2010, 2020 and 2030, even after taking environmental constraints into account.
However, it says that safeguarding biodiversity, and soil and water resources requires that detailed environmental guidelines become an integral part of planning processes at all levels of decision making. The potential for achieving co-benefits between biomass production and nature conservation will have to be further explored and adapted to local environmental conditions.
Related Links
Biomass Task Force final report and resources link
European Environment Agency biomass report link
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