Abstract
AbstractThe scientific literature contains contrasting findings about the climate effects of forest bioenergy, partly due to the wide diversity of bioenergy systems and associated contexts, but also due to differences in assessment methods. The climate effects of bioenergy must be accurately assessed to inform policy‐making, but the complexity of bioenergy systems and associated land, industry and energy systems raises challenges for assessment. We examine misconceptions about climate effects of forest bioenergy and discuss important considerations in assessing these effects and devising measures to incentivize sustainable bioenergy as a component of climate policy. The temporal and spatial system boundary and the reference (counterfactual) scenarios are key methodology choices that strongly influence results. Focussing on carbon balances of individual forest stands and comparing emissions at the point of combustion neglect system‐level interactions that influence the climate effects of forest bioenergy. We highlight the need for a systems approach, in assessing options and developing policy for forest bioenergy that: (1) considers the whole life cycle of bioenergy systems, including effects of the associated forest management and harvesting on landscape carbon balances; (2) identifies how forest bioenergy can best be deployed to support energy system transformation required to achieve climate goals; and (3) incentivizes those forest bioenergy systems that augment the mitigation value of the forest sector as a whole. Emphasis on short‐term emissions reduction targets can lead to decisions that make medium‐ to long‐term climate goals more difficult to achieve. The most important climate change mitigation measure is the transformation of energy, industry and transport systems so that fossil carbon remains underground. Narrow perspectives obscure the significant role that bioenergy can play by displacing fossil fuels now, and supporting energy system transition. Greater transparency and consistency is needed in greenhouse gas reporting and accounting related to bioenergy.
Highlights
Many countries have included support for bioenergy in their energy and climate policies, as a component of national strategies to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
We identify factors that are relevant to understanding the climate effects of forest bioenergy, and misconceptions that can lead to conclusions that exaggerate or underestimate the effects
We suggest that improvements are required to achieve greater transparency in GHG reporting and accounting related to bioenergy, so that the connections between forest carbon stock change and use of biomass for energy are not overlooked (Cowie et al, 2017; Kurz et al, 2018; Searchinger et al, 2018)
Summary
Many countries have included support for bioenergy in their energy and climate policies, as a component of national strategies to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The scientific literature shows wide variation in quantitative assessments as well as perspectives concerning the climate change mitigation effects of bioenergy, including when derived from forest biomass. Many studies have found that forest bioenergy can contribute to climate change mitigation, especially in the medium to long term (e.g. Creutzig et al, 2015; Dwivedi et al, 2019; Favero et al, 2017, 2020; Gustavsson et al, 2017, 2021; Kilpeläinen et al, 2016; Kraxner et al, 2003; Lundmark et al, 2014; Marland & Schlamadinger, 1997; Nabuurs et al, 2017; Smyth et al, 2014; Vance, 2018). Other studies contest the climate benefits of forest bioenergy, especially in the short term Specific areas of concern include ‘carbon neutrality’ assumptions, climate impacts of the growing international biomass pellet trade, timing of mitigation benefits and the treatment of bioenergy in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) rules for. Diverging conclusions can arise from studies that consider different research questions and that use different methodologies and scope, yielding diverging results
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