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08.September 2008 - 00:00
EU 20% renewable energy target: consequences for the carbon-accumulating properties of forests
A recent study just published in the journal Nature Geoscience gives a clear warning about the consequences of the EU’s 20% renewable energy target for the carbon-accumulating properties of forests.
According to the new research findings, greater use of bio-energy threatens to ruin the ability that forests have to act as a carbon sink, in other words to store carbon occurring in the atmosphere. The Nature Geoscience article confirms what many other studies, by McKinsey, the FAO, and Hamburg University among others, have already established: because of the EU’s binding renewable energy target, there is a danger that felling will increase beyond reasonable proportions, the end result of which will be a smaller carbon sink. To maintain an effective carbon sink, the felling rate has to be markedly lower than the standing timber growth rate: that, indeed, is what is happening in Europe at the moment.
In the light of the latest research, does the Commission see any reason to revise the renewable energy target, adopting the approach already called for where biofuels are concerned? Has it allowed for the danger of overcutting that might arise if it abides by the binding targets? Does it recognise that the adverse consequences for the carbon-accumulating properties of forests are a real possibility? What will it do to avert this potential threat?
8 September 2008
Answer given by Mr Piebalgs on behalf of the Commission
The EU's 20 % renewable energy target is ambitious and bio-energy will be an important contributor to meeting the target. However, a lot of the increase is expected to be met by using biomass waste and residues. The European Environment Agency report from 2006 on ‘How much bio-energy can Europe produce without harming the environment’ suggested that if strict environmental constraints are applied, 235 Mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent) biomass is deemed feasible in 2020, which included around 15 16 Mtoe from forestry residues (ca. 70 million m³) and an additional approximately 23 Mtoe (106 million m³) could be provided by complementary fellings and their residues.
Considerable potential for complementary felling could be found in many parts of Europe, particularly in Central Europe, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom, while observing strict environmental conditions(1).
The Commission's intention is to ensure that the potential for increased forest utilisation for energy would not damage the long term environmental sustainability of forests.
In order to prevent negative environmental impacts, the Commission proposed sustainability criteria for biofuels under the Renewable Energy Directive(2); including restrictions on the use of biomass from highly biodiverse land such as undisturbed forests and nature protected areas; and of biomass obtained from conversion of high carbon stock land, such as continuously forested areas. The Commission has further undertaken to report on requirements on sustainability of biomass, and as a result, the Commission has launched a public consultation, available at: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/res/consultation/uses_biomass_en.htm
(1) The main criteria for calculation were: No intensification of use of protected areas; foliage and roots were excluded from the calculations; the extraction rate of residues from stem and branches was limited according to the suitability of the site; a reduction of the area available for wood supply in each Member State by 5 % in order to allow for an increase in protected area; a set-aside of 5 % of wood volume as individual and small groups of retention trees after harvesting in order to increase the amount of large diameter trees and deadwood.
(2) COM(2008)19 final.
A recent study just published in the journal Nature Geoscience gives a clear warning about the consequences of the EU’s 20% renewable energy target for the carbon-accumulating properties of forests.
According to the new research findings, greater use of bio-energy threatens to ruin the ability that forests have to act as a carbon sink, in other words to store carbon occurring in the atmosphere. The Nature Geoscience article confirms what many other studies, by McKinsey, the FAO, and Hamburg University among others, have already established: because of the EU’s binding renewable energy target, there is a danger that felling will increase beyond reasonable proportions, the end result of which will be a smaller carbon sink. To maintain an effective carbon sink, the felling rate has to be markedly lower than the standing timber growth rate: that, indeed, is what is happening in Europe at the moment.
In the light of the latest research, does the Commission see any reason to revise the renewable energy target, adopting the approach already called for where biofuels are concerned? Has it allowed for the danger of overcutting that might arise if it abides by the binding targets? Does it recognise that the adverse consequences for the carbon-accumulating properties of forests are a real possibility? What will it do to avert this potential threat?
8 September 2008
Answer given by Mr Piebalgs on behalf of the Commission
The EU's 20 % renewable energy target is ambitious and bio-energy will be an important contributor to meeting the target. However, a lot of the increase is expected to be met by using biomass waste and residues. The European Environment Agency report from 2006 on ‘How much bio-energy can Europe produce without harming the environment’ suggested that if strict environmental constraints are applied, 235 Mtoe (million tonnes of oil equivalent) biomass is deemed feasible in 2020, which included around 15 16 Mtoe from forestry residues (ca. 70 million m³) and an additional approximately 23 Mtoe (106 million m³) could be provided by complementary fellings and their residues.
Considerable potential for complementary felling could be found in many parts of Europe, particularly in Central Europe, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom, while observing strict environmental conditions(1).
The Commission's intention is to ensure that the potential for increased forest utilisation for energy would not damage the long term environmental sustainability of forests.
In order to prevent negative environmental impacts, the Commission proposed sustainability criteria for biofuels under the Renewable Energy Directive(2); including restrictions on the use of biomass from highly biodiverse land such as undisturbed forests and nature protected areas; and of biomass obtained from conversion of high carbon stock land, such as continuously forested areas. The Commission has further undertaken to report on requirements on sustainability of biomass, and as a result, the Commission has launched a public consultation, available at: http://ec.europa.eu/energy/res/consultation/uses_biomass_en.htm
(1) The main criteria for calculation were: No intensification of use of protected areas; foliage and roots were excluded from the calculations; the extraction rate of residues from stem and branches was limited according to the suitability of the site; a reduction of the area available for wood supply in each Member State by 5 % in order to allow for an increase in protected area; a set-aside of 5 % of wood volume as individual and small groups of retention trees after harvesting in order to increase the amount of large diameter trees and deadwood.
(2) COM(2008)19 final.