European bioenergy production could triple by 2050

Ahead of the COP24 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Katowice, Poland, new research on biomass potential claims it can be a ‘key solution’ in climate change mitigation.

According to the recently published researched, the amount of domestically available biomass that is used for bioenergy in Europe can triplicate within sustainable and environmental limits whilst staying within ‘reasonable’ cost limits.

The COP24 meetings are focusing on the urgency of fighting climate change. Research into how biomass has a prominent role to play towards a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy has recently been highlighted in the EU’s new long-term strategy for decarbonisation.   

Bioenergy Europe says that bioenergy represents one of the most important solutions to achieve a balance between emissions and removals by 2050. The trade association believes that bioenergy is versatile and flexible and can help to drastically cut carbon emissions in transport, heating and electricity sectors.

Bioenergy’s contribution towards the 2050 energy mix is to be determined by the availability of sustainable biomass. Bioenergy Europe states that agricultural biomass plays a key role in the research conducted by Professor Dr André Faaij of the University of Groningen. The research indicated that in order to achieve the potential by 2050, agricultural biomass’ energy contribution will need to significantly increase. It will also need to become as important as the energy that is produced from forest biomass.

Jean-Marc Jossart, Secretary-General of Bioenergy Europe states that, “The literature review offers an opportunity for decision-makers at COP24 to take into account the potential of bioenergy, one of the most viable solutions to maintaining global warming to the recommended level of +1.5°C by 2050. Discussions in Katovice must now focus on finding ways to transform our economies for the upcoming challenge of climate change.”