How can solid biomass contribute to the EU’s renewable energy targets in 2020, 2030 and what are the GHG drivers and safeguards in energy- and forestry sectors?

Abstract

European Union set an ambitious 20% target of its energy consumption from renewable resources 20% by 2020. The aim of this paper is to assess the contribution of solid biomass to renewables use in the EU. During 2010–2018 the share of solid biomass increased from 6.1% to 8.0% of total GFEC, an increase of almost 300 PJ. The paper identifies leading and lagging countries in biomass development by focusing on their current solid biomass share in GFEC. The study shows that leading countries have reached or are close to reach their target, while lagging countries are far from their targets. ETS and non-ETS targets play both a role in the growing use of solid biomass. Despite some challenges, the forest biomass sector allows the sustainable increase of bioenergy in the EU, when the harvest level remains below 90% of net annual increment (except for natural disasters) and there is a stable division between fuelwood and harvested wood for solid products. Forests available for wood supply (FAWS) should be treated differently from non-FAWS areas (protected forests, biodiversity areas), because of different carbon dynamics. The EU Member States may wish to introduce a fixed ratio between FAWS and non FAWS areas, in order to optimally meet the corresponding wishes in EU’s forest and biodiversity strategies.