The UK waste wood industry’s important contribution to reducing carbon emissions has been revealed today with the launch of new independently-verified figures from the Wood Recyclers’ Association (WRA).
The figures show that waste wood biomass – which makes up roughly two-thirds of the UK market for waste wood – saved almost three-quarters of a million (701,000) tonnes of carbon emissions in 2023 when compared to the likely displaced energy generation.
And, if these plants were fitted with carbon capture and storage technology (CCS), this could rise to 3.6 million tonnes of carbon savings in future – representing 16% of the government’s target to capture 23MtCO2/year by 2035.
The figures were calculated using a model peer-reviewed by certification body Kiwa*, utilising the WRA’s most recent (2023) waste wood statistics.
Furthermore, elsewhere in the waste wood sector, new figures** show the panel board sector sequestered over a million tonnes (1.1mt) of carbon in its particle board products in 2023 from the use of waste wood.
The carbon data represents the culmination of two years of work by the Wood Recyclers’ Association’s Net Zero working group, which aimed to quantify the carbon benefits that the waste wood sector provides in addition to its contribution to the circular economy.
Richard Jenkins, WRA Board Member and the Chair of the working group, said: “We are delighted to launch these figures today which provide further evidence of the critical role that our sector plays not just in the circular economy but also in helping to deliver net zero.
“Our sector helps to lock away carbon in products made from recycled wood and then at the end of their life they are used to produce low-carbon renewable energy – supporting a carbon neutral energy system.
“For biomass, our data also shows the potential for UK plants to deliver even greater carbon benefits in future, with the introduction of carbon and capture and storage technology.”
“Many thanks to Ugo Gasparino from RWE Generation who was instrumental in building the carbon savings model and providing invaluable support to the working group.”
Richard Coulson, Chair of the WRA, added: “We are delighted that Kiwa has supported what our modelling has shown, that waste wood biomass prevented 701,000 tonnes of carbon emissions in 2023.
“It is now really important that we are given urgent clarity from government about support for our sector post ROCS. In particular, our plants need transitional support to give them time to introduce carbon capture and storage technology and we need confirmation that Non-Pipeline Transport options can be linked to the Greenhouse Gas Removals Business Model.
“We need to ensure we make the most of these assets because if we don’t our potential to deliver 3.6 million tonnes of carbon savings will be lost.”
“It is not just our recovery members who are making a positive carbon impact”, he added. “The panel board sector sequestered 1.1 million tonnes of carbon in its products in 2023, through its use of waste wood, ensuring this carbon is locked up for the long term.
“This is why it is critical that we continue to have packaging recycling targets which are high enough to incentivise recycling and provide a sustainable support mechanism.”
UK waste wood biomass “saved 701,000 tonnes of carbon emissions” last year
