News & events
2012
December
04
WBA launches new fact sheet on Carbon neutrality of sustainable Biomass from forests
Carbon neutrality of sustainable Biomass from forests
The third WBA's fact sheet "Carbon neutrality of sustainable Biomass from forests" has been launched during COP18 UN Climate Change Conference, Doha.
Biomass from sustainable forestry is carbon neutral and will play an important role in the future energy system!
World Bioenergy Association shows in a new fact sheet, “The carbon neutrality of biomass from forest”, launched at COP18 in Doha, that the use of forest biomass is carbon-neutral, because the carbon contained in wood originates from the atmosphere and it is released to the atmosphere by wood decay or by combustion. Before a tree can be burned it has to grow by absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. Theories on carbon debt and ‘payback time’ of biomass are not credible, because they are based on the unrealistic assumption that trees are first burned and then grown!
Launching a fact sheet on the carbon neutrality of forest biomass in a press conference during COP 18 in Doha the President of the WBA, Dr. Heinz Kopetz added: “It is a fundamental requirement of sustainable forestry that the carbon stock in forests remains stable or increases over time. Deforestation and unsustainable forest management lead to a decline of the carbon stock in the forest – this has to be avoided.”
The carbon released by burning fossil fuels is not part of the ‘natural’ carbon cycle. It rapidly increases the CO2 content of the atmosphere. In 2011, about 90% of total CO2emissions were caused by burning fossil fuels. The use of fossil fuels creates a carbon debt that will be a huge burden for future generations, says Dr. Heinz Kopetz, the President of WBA,
Replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy has to be the core strategy with regards to future climate policies. Utilizing biomass from sustainably managed forests can play an important role in this strategy. Several countries have demonstrated that a build up of carbon in forests and an increase of forest biomass for energy is simultaneously achievable by good forest management practice.
Watch the press conference here>>
Download the fact sheet
For more information, please contact:
- Heinz Kopetz, President WBA email: hg.kopetz@netway.at, tfn +436506806988
- Karin Haara, Executive Director WBA email: karin.haara@worldbioenergy.org, tfn +46705432641