A multi-country initiative, spearheaded by governments, has launched a new Global Biomass Resource Assessment aimed at fostering the shift toward a sustainable, bio-based economy. This comprehensive report provides crucial insights into the current and projected sustainable biomass supplies globally.
The findings from this assessment will enable scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders to identify potential biomass sources that can underpin a circular and sustainable bioeconomy, facilitating the production of clean fuels, chemicals, materials, and other goods. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory carried out the assessment, funded by the U.S. Department of State and managed by the DOE’s Bioenergy Technologies Office on behalf of the CEM Biofuture Initiative and Mission Innovation.
This assessment highlights biomass resources available in various developing countries, which often lack advanced biomass industries. It aims to create internationally accepted benchmarks for quantifying sustainable biomass feedstock supplies, supporting a climate-smart bioeconomy.
Additionally, an International Feedstocks data-sharing portal has been established, offering users a comprehensive analysis of sustainable biomass supplies compiled from over 49 regional and national reports across 55 countries. Currently, there are more than 2,740 million metric tons of sustainable biomass supplies available. Furthermore, 42 nations projecting supplies for 2030 anticipate an increase of up to 2,120 million metric tons of sustainable biomass, reflecting a rise of 431 million metric tons over current estimates.
The assessment was unveiled on October 2, 2024, by the Clean Energy Ministerial Biofuture Platform Initiative during the 15th Annual G20 CEM and 9th Mission Innovation Forum held in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil.
“Promoting the global production and use of bio-based fuels, chemicals, and products is essential for reducing greenhouse gas emissions worldwide,” stated Jim Spaeth, Chair of the CEM Biofuture Platform Initiative and BETO Systems Development & Integration Program Manager. “This assessment marks the beginning of a multi-year, collaborative effort to consolidate global biomass resource data into a single, easily accessible digital format. We are seeking international partners to continue this important research.”
The data is hosted on the Bioenergy Knowledge Discovery Framework (BioenergyKDF), a platform funded by BETO and maintained by ORNL. This centralized hub aims to accelerate innovations in bioenergy and sustainable bioeconomy practices. The BioenergyKDF also features the prominent U.S. biomass report, the Billion-Ton 2023 series, which provides detailed geo-spatial estimates of sustainable biomass resources across the United States.
Launched at the 11th Clean Energy Ministerial, the CEM Biofuture Platform Initiative aims to expedite the development, scaling, and deployment of sustainable bio-based alternatives to fossil fuels, chemicals, and materials. Chaired by the U.S. Department of Energy and coordinated by the International Energy Agency, this Initiative fosters dialogue and collaboration among leading nations, organizations, academia, and the private sector, emphasizing innovation and investment in bioenergy and sustainable development.
The BioenergyKDF ensures broad access to high-quality data that supports advancements in bioenergy research. It offers extensive market analyses by feedstock and provides pivotal datasets like the Billion-Ton reports. The portal includes user-friendly tools for visualizing, analyzing, and downloading data at the county level, showcasing the most suitable energy crops for different U.S. regions. The platform adheres to modern data-sharing principles — FAIR: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable — to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration and accelerate innovation across sectors.
BETO is dedicated to technology research, development, and demonstration aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the sustainable and cost-effective use of biomass and waste feedstocks in the U.S. economy. As part of DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, BETO plays a crucial role in this effort.
UT-Battelle manages ORNL for DOE’s Office of Science, which is the largest supporter of basic research in the physical sciences in the U.S., addressing some of the most pressing challenges of our time.
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