Demand for biomass increasing worldwide

The global demand for biomass for energy purposes (electricity, heat & cold and transport fuels) is increasing rapidly. However, the increasing import of biomass and biofuels also has negative side effects.

With the necessary precautions, biomass can contribute to solutions to combat greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Therefore, the Dutch government stimulates the use of renewable energy sources in electricity production. Currently in The Netherlands, about 50% of these renewable energy sources consist of biomass. Already part of this biomass is imported.

Increasing import
In the future, the imported amount will only increase, given the fact that the European Commission has committed its member states to blend biofuels with transport fuels. The target is set at 5.75% for 2010, increasing to 10% in 2020. There is ample evidence that the European production of biomass is insufficient to meet this demand, so the share of imported biomass is likely to increase further.

Negative balance
However, large-scale biomass production can have very negative impacts, especially in developing producer countries: forest destruction, loss of biodiversity, loss of food supplies, food price increases and violation of land ownership and customary rights of local livelihoods. Moreover, replacing fossil fuels with biofuels is not always effective in terms of greenhouse gas emission reduction. In some cases of biofuel feedstock production, the CO2 balance may even be negative. In brief, the claimed sustainability of biomass production can be argued.

What does IUCN NL do?
IUCN NL actively contributes to the development of sustainability criteria for biomass for energy purposes, bringing in the ecosystem approach. But IUCN NL also underlines the importance of indirect effects. When part of the biomass production complies with stringent sustainability criteria, there is still the risk that other production is displaced through indirect land use change and consequently contributes the risk of loss of biodiversity. This is complex matter that IUCN NL brings in the footlight. IUCN NL works with various stakeholders to find solutions to mitigate negative indirect impacts of biomass production. IUCN NL engages with the private sector to work towards sustainable biomass supply chains. Furthermore, IUCN NL supports civil society organisations in biomass producing countries working on biomass related projects and facilitates the exchange of knowledge and information.

• Position paper biofuels CBD COP 9, May 2008
• Publication: Implementing Sustainable Bioenergy Production: A Compilation of tools and approaches