Challenges and Opportunities for International Trade in Forest Biomass

Lamers, Patrick; Mai-Moulin, Thuy; Junginger, H.M.

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-804514-5.00008-1

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The forest industry is already the largest producer of bioenergy in Canada (Bradburn 2014;Roach and Berch 2014;Griffin and Nyboer 2016). Declining demand for traditional forest products (e.g., newsprint, lumber) has encouraged investment in emerging products (e.g., wood pellets) that can be used to generate bioenergy both domestically and abroad (Roach and Berch 2014;Lamers et al 2016). Wood pellets can be produced from a variety of woody materials that until recently have had little economic value.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wood ash as a soil amendment in Canadian forests: what are the barriers to utilization?

et al. 2018

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The contribution of forest biomass to Canada’s energy production is small but growing. As the forest bioenergy industry in Canada expands, there is growing interest in more sustainably managing the wood ash that is generated as a by-product. Despite being rich in nutrients, wood ash is usually landfilled in Canada. Soil applications of ash in Canadian forests could be used to mimic some of the effects of wildfire, to replace nutrients removed during harvesting, to counteract the negative effects of acid deposition, and to improve tree growth. At present, the provincial and territorial processes for obtaining regulatory approval to use wood ash as a forest soil amendment can be challenging to navigate. Furthermore, the costs for obtaining approval and transporting and applying wood ash to the soil can render landfilling a more cost-effective method of ash management. To ensure that wood ash applications in Canadian forests are conducted safely, effectively, and efficiently, experience from European countries could provide a useful starting point for developing best practices. The results of Canadian research trials will assist policy makers and forest managers in refining management guidelines that encourage soil applications of wood ash as a forest management tool while protecting the ecology, water quality, biodiversity, and productivity of Canadian forests.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wood ash as a soil amendment in Canadian forests: what are the barriers to utilization?

et al. 2018

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“…The European Union currently imports 4% of its biomass for energy use in the utility co-firing and domestic heating sectors. However, projections accounting for potential supply gaps in energy production due to political commitments (Paris Agreement and the like), and/or the full closing of coal power plants, suggest that this percentage will likely increase dramatically (both in percentage of total biomass and in absolute amounts) by 2030 (Dafnomilis et al., 2018; Lamers et al., 2016; Parish et al., 2018). Japanese and South Korean wood pellet consumer markets are also on the rise.…”

Section: Abstract Machine: European Sociotechnical Imaginarymentioning

confidence: 99%

Biomass logistics: Mythistory and sociotechnical imaginary in trans-Atlantic wood pellet assemblage

Ramos

2020

Environment and Planning E: Nature and Space

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The paper focuses on the role of mythistory and the sociotechnical imaginary in stabilizing the links of a particular biomass supply chain running from the forests of Georgia in the US Southeast to diffuse markets across the European Union. Trans-Atlantic wood pellet assemblage demonstrates how mythistories and sociotechnical imaginaries are deployed to opportunistically frame wood as nature, agriculture, and energy as part of governance strategies to coordinate and operationalize the “multiple, spontaneous spatial strategies” that the biomass industry requires. I use assemblage theory to explore how Georgia’s mythistory and the European sociotechnical imaginary form the abstract machine that conditions relationships for the functionality and maintenance of the wood pellet supply chain. I then chart the concrete assemblage of the trans-Atlantic biomass supply chain, which requires the collaboration of a broad network of state and non-state actors. The case helps to ground the current global energy transition period in material and political practices that are contingent, opportunistic, and likely also transitional, even though the sector involves deep capital and political investment throughout the supply chain.

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“…Using the SGDs as a normative framework for the sustainability of biomass implies not only strong interlinkages, but also that the goals should be achieved in an integrated way to avoid tradeoffs. This will require to move beyond the “pillar” concept, and to consider the SDG interlinkages in a positive way: biomass – with bioenergy as part of the overall bioeconomy – should be seen as a means to implement the SDGs.…”

Section: Sustainable Bioenergy In the Wider Context Of The Bioeconomymentioning

confidence: 99%

The future of biomass and bioenergy deployment and trade: a synthesis of 15 years IEA Bioenergy Task 40 on sustainable bioenergy trade

Junginger

Mai-Moulin

Daioglou

et al. 2019

Biofuels Bioprod Bioref

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Current biomass production and trade volumes for energy and new materials and bio‐chemicals are only a small fraction to achieve the bioenergy levels suggested by many global energy and climate change mitigation scenarios for 2050. However, comprehensive sustainability of large scale biomass production and trading has yet to be secured, and governance of developing biomass markets is a critical issue. Fundamental choices need to be made on how to develop sustainable biomass supply chains and govern sustainable international biomass markets. The aim of this paper is to provide a vision of how widespread trade and deployment of biomass for energy purposes can be integrated with the wider (bio)economy. It provides an overview of past and current trade flows of the main bioenergy products, and discusses the most important drivers and barriers for bioenergy in general, and more specifically the further development of bioenergy trade over the coming years. It discusses the role of bioenergy as part of the bioeconomy and other potential roles; and how it can help to achieve the sustainable development goals. The paper concludes that it is critical to demonstrate innovative and integrated value chains for biofuels, bioproducts, and biopower that can respond with agility to market factors while providing economic, environmental, and societal benefits to international trade and market. Furthermore, flexible biogenic carbon supply nets based on broad feedstock portfolios and multiple energy and material utilization pathways will reduce risks for involved stakeholder and foster the market entry and uptake of various densified biogenic carbon carriers. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

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Challenges and Opportunities for International Trade in Forest Biomass

Abstract: Highlights• By 2020, the global demand for internationally traded wood pellets from boreal and temperate forests is expected to reach 15-26 million tonnes (264-458 PJ) per year.• For the foreseeable future, critical demand markets will remain in the EU and, to a lesser extent, Asia.

Cited by 6 publications

References 21 publications

Wood ash as a soil amendment in Canadian forests: what are the barriers to utilization?

Wood ash as a soil amendment in Canadian forests: what are the barriers to utilization?

Biomass logistics: Mythistory and sociotechnical imaginary in trans-Atlantic wood pellet assemblage

The future of biomass and bioenergy deployment and trade: a synthesis of 15 years IEA Bioenergy Task 40 on sustainable bioenergy trade

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