Burning biomass - often from wood - is a key pillar
of the government's renewable energy strategy, but there are
questions over whether more biomass means higher emissions. A joint
government and industry initiative launched yesterday sets out to
clarify biomass's role in the UK's drive to meet its energy needs
while cutting carbon.
The initiative is coordinated by
Carbon Connect which brings
together MPs, peers and industry. The group's report will aim to
outline "the role of renewables and how they tie into security of
supply", according to former energy minister and Carbon Connect
co-chair Charles Hendry. Here's a few key issues it will need to
address.
Biomass emissions controversy
The government must reduce greenhouse gas emissions
by
80 per cent by 2050 by law.
It's hard to know whether biomass will help the UK
cut carbon, however. Biomass generation can
be carbon negative, in theory. But it depends on
what kind of biomass is used and where it comes from.
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