About Biomass
and the substitution of fossil fuels - all without compromising biodiversity or forests’ future carbon stocks.
Biomass comes from forests with active forestry. The forest is planted to produce valuable timber. Biomass is a residual product. Biomass contributes to more and better forests – measured by area, standing wood mass, dead wood, and CO2 uptake. Biomass contributes to sustainable and long-term forestry – both in Denmark and internationally. Biomass creates economic sustainability in forestry, which is a prerequisite for planting new forests – including the planned 250,000 hectares from the Green Tripartite Agreement. The climate impact of biomass consumption is calculated using a transparent accounting method (LULUCF). Biomass is a biogenic, renewable, and sustainable energy source, which, in combination with BECCS and CCUS, is a prerequisite for achieving the government’s climate targets of a 70% reduction by 2030, climate neutrality by 2045, and a 110% reduction by 2050. 60% of energy consumption in Denmark is still fossil- based. In the EU, it is 70%. The EU has paid more money to Russia than to Ukraine over the past 3.5 years. If you want to do something for the climate and security, the focus should be on reducing fossil fuels. (Source: Danish Forest Association)
Finally, it should also be mentioned that the majority of Europe’s energy consumption still relies on fossil fuels — around 70% across the EU, and roughly 60% in Denmark. The EU has paid more money to Russia than to Ukraine over the past 3.5 years to buy natural gas. If you want to do something for the climate and strengthen security, the focus should be on reducing consumption of fossil fuels. Nature and biodiversity considerations As mentioned at the outset, the forest is a Swiss army knife that can contribute to many purposes but cannot solve them all at the same time. A real green transition requires that we stop using non- renewable and fossil resources and, to a much greater extent, switch to renewable resources produced on the earth’s surface. This applies to both solar and wind energy, as well as biogenic carbon from agricultural and forestry by-products. Forests planted and managed for timber production will play a central role in this transition. But it is also clear that these forest areas, which deliver a product, cannot fulfill all wishes and considerations. Therefore, areas are set aside for untouched forest, and primary and old-growth forests are protected. For the same reason, these challenges cannot be solved by imposing a number of production-limiting requirements on forestry areas, which will never fulfill biodiversity goals anyway. Instead, positive incentives should support forest owners who actively promote biodiversity. Biomass and biogenic carbon use in the future are not obstacles to this - they are prerequisites. Conclusion The choice is not between forests or biomass - it’s about using every part of the tree wisely. When wood residues from sustainable production forests replace fossil fuels, they deliver double value: supporting forest management and cutting carbon emissions. The key is responsible sourcing - certified, traceable, and transparent. Biomass done right turns waste into climate action and helps keep both local economies and heating systems resilient. Europe’s real energy challenge is not using too much biomass - it’s still using too much fossil fuel.
For further information please contact: af@danskskovforening.dk
29 www.dbdh.dk
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