IEA Bioenergy presents the latest Bioenergy Review, an assessment report on the global status of bioenergy.
Bioenergy is today the largest source of renewable energy and represents approximately 10% of the global energy supply. Part of this is the 'traditional' use of biomass in inefficient and highly polluting appliances or open fires, which must be phased out as quickly as possible. On the other hand, modern bioenergy in efficient and clean devices and processes is indispensable for the transformation and decarbonization of our energy system, complementing other renewable energy sources and efforts to reduce energy demand. Bioenergy is also an integral part of a circular biobased economy, where waste or residual materials from other biobased production processes are often valorized.
Bioenergy is very versatile and will contribute to the required transformation in several ways that will change during the transition to our future energy system. Provided that biomass is sustainably sourced and used efficiently, bioenergy not only provides quick solutions for defossilizing existing infrastructure and vehicle fleets, but can also support ecosystems, create socio-economic benefits, provide clean cooking and an energy system stabilize in transition.
Bioenergy is one of the important and necessary elements in the fight against climate change. However, climate change is not the only driver of the use of bioenergy. The Covid pandemic and the war in Ukraine highlighted the risks inherent in global supply chains and the value of diversified supply that is more regionally based. As energy security has once again become a critical issue, bioenergy can improve the resilience of societies around the world by providing greenhouse gas emissions reductions, regional energy supply, income for rural communities and energy system flexibility.
A necessary enabler of a sustainable future
Sustainability is an important issue that must be taken into account in all human activities. Acting sustainably means meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainability is a broad policy concept and consists of at least three main dimensions: the ecological, economic and social dimensions.
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, local air pollutant emissions, biodiversity, land and water use, etc., all fall within the scope of environmental sustainability. Forests and agricultural landscapes can be sustainably managed so that, in addition to key food or timber products, they can provide biomass for bioenergy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the energy system while maintaining or improving biodiversity, carbon sinks and species diversity. In many regions, bioenergy must meet strict sustainability criteria and standards to ensure effective reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, maintenance of carbon stocks in soils and forests, and conservation of biodiversity.
The term economic sustainability includes the supply of sufficient quantities of biomass raw materials at reasonable prices. The costs for biomass raw materials and bioenergy carriers vary regionally and also depend on the intended use and competition from other market parties for the same raw materials.
Finally, social sustainability is about the impact of sustainability on people, their health and well-being, and their ability to live decently. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which all United Nations Member States have adopted and aim to achieve by 2030, balance the three dimensions of sustainability and strive for a just transition to a sustainable future. The production and use of biomass can make a positive contribution to achieving various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as has been demonstrated in several cases around the world.
Modern bioenergy allows for more efficient use of domestic resources for energy production and economic activity. It is not just part of the solution, modern bioenergy is a facilitator of the whole process:
- It creates space for diversified investments as some bioenergy technologies are ready and suitable for existing infrastructure.
- The demand for sustainable biomass sources shapes sustainable forestry and agricultural practices that support ecosystems and contribute to biodiversity.
- Biomass supply chains involve a broader cross-section of society and support the democratization and decentralization of the economy.
- The versatility of bioenergy and the possibility of long-term storage reduce the instability of an energy system in transition.
Whatever sustainability paths are chosen, modern bioenergy will be part of the picture.
