e.g., after which the consumer country subsequently gets a “free” reduction in CO2 emissions from the transport sector.
or 1.7% since 2010. In total, an estimated 66% of the net annual increment of wood in EU forests was harvested 2022 and used for products and energy. We simply cut less than we plant. Biomass helps ensure the economic viability of forestry, leading to improved forest management and more effective handling of climate challenges. In connection with criticism of imported biomass, it is worth noting that Denmark imports about 80% of the valuable timber it uses. It is difficult to understand the logic in welcoming imported high-quality timber while rejecting the residual product, which helps finance sustainable forestry elsewhere in the world, especially when those residues are efficiently used in district heating and combined heat and power systems that replace fossil fuels. Sustainable biomass is a prerequisite for achieving climate goals Denmark – like many other European countries – has some of the world’s most ambitious climate targets, requiring a 70% reduction by 2030 and a path toward climate neutrality or even net negative emissions by mid-century. Achieving these goals is not possible without sustainable biomass. The long-term targets likewise depend on biomass combined with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) to deliver negative emissions. Biomass will thus remain vital in the future energy system, where all renewable energy sources in the mix will be needed. A real green transition naturally involves rapid expansion of solar, wind, and other renewables, but this alone does not solve the task. We will increasingly need additional sources of sustainable biogenic carbon from agriculture and forestry residues to enable a true circular bioeconomy. LULUCF – A transparent, global accounting method A frequent claim is that Denmark artificially “hides” its CO2 emissions by importing biomass, since the emissions from biomass are accounted for in the country of production and thus counted as emission-neutral in the Danish energy sector to avoid double-counting. This principle follows the UN’s internationally recognized accounting system for land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF). It is not fundamentally different from all other goods, which are also accounted for in the country of production. A good example is electric cars, which are more CO2-intensive to produce than conventional combustion-engine cars. The extra CO2 emissions must also be settled in the country of production,
The LULUCF accounting method is used globally and ensures that everyone reports using the same transparent, uniform criteria. In practical terms, it means that when a forest in one country has a net CO2 uptake, the use of biomass from that forest does not cause additional climate impact in another country. The EU’s latest Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII) enforces this rule. Furthermore, since most biomass used within the EU is traded among member states that share collective CO2 reduction targets, it makes little difference where production or consumption takes place – the overall climate balance is still accounted for within the same framework. Biomass must be sustainably produced Biomass - like so many other things - is a scarce resource. Therefore, it must be produced and used responsibly and sustainably. This is a prerequisite for it to contribute positively to the energy supply. All actors should therefore ensure that sustainability criteria are met. It is, however, curious that the use of wood, a renewable resource, apparently must be subject to requirements for correct cascade use, while, for example, oil — a non-renewable and irreplaceable resource — can be used arbitrarily for all sorts of products and gadgets. The REDIII directive sets clear rules that biomass may only come from forests that are managed responsibly and replanted after harvesting. It is a fundamental requirement that biomass must not come from areas with high biodiversity value, such as old- growth forests, protected natural areas, or wetlands. In addition to EU legislation, most European energy and forest-sector companies apply independent certification schemes such as FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification), and SBP (Sustainable Biomass Program). These schemes require traceability throughout the value chain - from forest to energy plant - and ensure that forests are managed with respect for the environment, climate, and social considerations. At the same time, the EU’s sustainability frameworks ensure that biomass remains an integrated part of climate efforts and continues to contribute to energy supply, negative emissions,
28 HOTCOOL SPECIAL COLLECTION edition 2, 2025
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