The Irish government’s COFORD Council for Forest Research and Development has released a new paper recommending future policies to enhance the role of forest-based biomass in achieving climate goals.
The paper, titled “Forest-Based Biomass and Modern Bioenergy, Moving to Net Zero,” builds on earlier COFORD statements about forests and forest products aiding in climate change mitigation.
According to the report, bioenergy supply, whether sourced locally or imported, must come from sustainable sources and supply chains. It stressed the importance of using scarce biomass efficiently without harming air quality.
The paper highlighted that while several policies at national and EU levels address bioenergy and forest biomass, there is no single strategy guiding their use. This lack of coordination has resulted in mixed policies, unclear objectives, and uncertainty among businesses and investors considering bioenergy as a replacement for oil and gas.
The document emphasized the need for reliable data on bioenergy supply, costs, sustainability, and technical feasibility to guide national policies and climate action plans. It also called for a greater focus on sustainable bioenergy and biomass to meet climate, energy, and development targets, while boosting investor confidence.
One key recommendation is to develop a national bioenergy strategy outlining clear goals for future bioenergy use. This would include ambitions for deployment to support climate and energy objectives, energy security, sustainability, and balanced regional growth.
Another proposal is to extend the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) to the Emissions Trading System (ETS) sector. It suggested maintaining this program until 2035 as part of climate action plans, with ambitious targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The paper urged the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) to actively promote the scheme in partnership with public and private sector stakeholders and industry groups. It also called for efforts comparable to those supporting other sustainable heating systems.
Additionally, it recommended setting a specific target for solid biomass in district heating plans under the Climate Action Plan, aligning it with the biomethane target.
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