Why the EU’s Biomass Policy Could Be Worsening Climate Change
European Union (EU) forests, historically effective carbon sinks crucial for mitigating climate change, are now under threat due to intensified forest biomass harvesting, according to a report published by M.S. Booth and J. Giuntoli for The Partnership for Policy Integrity and published by Global Change Biology Bioenergy titled “Burning Up the Carbon Sink: How the EU’s Forest Biomass Policy Undermines Climate Mitigation.”
The Vital Role of Forest Carbon Sinks
Forests act as essential “carbon sinks,” meaning they naturally absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂)—a significant greenhouse gas—from the atmosphere through photosynthesis. The trees and other plant materials then store this carbon as “biomass”—the total organic matter that makes up the forest. However, recent increases in logging and “biomass harvesting” (the collection of organic matter from forests to use as fuel or energy) have begun to reverse these positive effects. The report underscores that the EU forests’ ability to sequester carbon, or effectively trap and store it, is now diminishing significantly, posing a substantial risk to global climate mitigation efforts.
Increasing Harvest Levels
The report provides evidence of a marked increase in EU forest harvesting. Between 2009 and 2018, biomass extraction grew significantly, driven by EU policies promoting biomass as a renewable energy source. For instance, harvesting intensity has risen notably in countries like Estonia, Latvia, and Slovakia, where extraction rates have outpaced forest growth, leading to declining carbon stocks.
Credit: NGO Zero
Misguided Climate Policies
The report critically examines the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive, a policy framework designed to promote renewable energy sources, including biomass. Under this directive, biomass burning (the combustion of organic materials such as wood and other plant matter for energy production) is considered “carbon-neutral,” meaning it is assumed that the CO₂ released from burning biomass is eventually offset by new plant growth that absorbs an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide.
However, the authors challenge this assumption by highlighting that it does not adequately account for the full lifecycle emissions—the total greenhouse gases emitted throughout the entire process of harvesting, transporting, processing, and burning biomass. Furthermore, because trees typically require decades to regrow and recapture the emitted carbon, the immediate release of CO₂ during biomass burning directly contributes to increased atmospheric carbon levels, exacerbating global climate change in the short and medium terms.
Concrete Examples from EU Countries
Estonia, which has seen one of the highest increases in logging, reported a net decline in carbon sequestration capacity, transitioning from a carbon sink to a carbon source. Similarly, Sweden, despite extensive forested areas, has experienced significant losses in carbon storage potential due to intensified forest management practices aimed at biomass production.
Credit: Source: Almuth Ernsting, Credit: Biofuelwatch.
Recommended Policy Changes
To mitigate these detrimental impacts, the report suggests immediate and comprehensive policy revisions:
- Reassessing biomass’s classification as carbon-neutral within the EU Renewable Energy Directive: This involves critically evaluating and revising the assumption that biomass burning is inherently carbon-neutral. Policymakers are urged to account for lifecycle emissions comprehensively and realistically assess biomass’s true climate impact.
- Enhancing forest protection measures and limiting harvests to sustainable levels: Implementing stronger legal and regulatory frameworks to protect forests from excessive logging and ensuring that biomass harvesting does not exceed the forests’ growth rate. Sustainable harvesting means maintaining a balance where harvested biomass does not diminish the overall health and carbon storage capacity of the forest.
- Promoting proforestation—allowing forests to mature naturally—to maximize carbon storage: Proforestation refers to managing forests by allowing existing trees to grow naturally, without active intervention or intensive management practices. Mature forests store substantially more carbon than younger, frequently harvested forests, making proforestation a highly effective strategy for enhancing natural carbon sequestration.
Conclusion
The Partnership for Policy Integrity calls on EU policymakers to acknowledge the environmental consequences of current biomass policies and adjust strategies to ensure forests remain effective carbon sinks. Immediate action is necessary to reassess the sustainability and true environmental impact of biomass as a renewable energy source. By prioritizing sustainable forestry practices and protecting mature forests, the EU can help restore the carbon sequestration potential of its forests, thus playing a pivotal role in global efforts to combat climate change. Failure to address these issues promptly could result in irreversible damage, jeopardizing both environmental stability and the ability to meet international climate targets.
Access the full report here.
