Le bois-énergie en Europe. Une étude prospective à l'horizon 2020

Abstract

In this 2020 prospective study, we have developed a methodology for analysis of the possibilities of increasing the use of fuelwood, and the socio-economic and environmental implications of the kind of mobilization which would result therefrom. We have made such an evaluation in five countries within the European Community: Austria, Finland, France, Portugal and Sweden. The methodology is described in detail in the report. The fuelwood share of the energy supply in these five countries could be increased to 9 % by the year 2020 if a scenario with a interventionist policy of fuelwood use is assumed in potential user sectors. This could be compared to the present fuelwood share of 5 %. There are, however, large differences amongst the five countries. The increased fuelwood use could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 7 % for the year 2020, compared to the present level. The study shows that fuelwood is an economically competitive fuel for energy production in many user sectors. There are, however, a number of non-technical-economic factors (institutional, sociological, political…) which may stand in, the way of increased fuelwood use. The method of analysing the possibilities for — and consequences of — an increased use of biomass which has been developed in this project could be used for similar analyses of other groups of countries in the European Union.