Coal-fired power plants are being phased out because coal is the most polluting form of energy production, causing significant greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution that harm human health and the environment. To ease the transition, biomass is increasingly being used as a replacement fuel in these existing power plants. However, the heavy use of unsustainably sourced biomass can lead to deforestation, resulting in biodiversity loss and increased greenhouse gas emissions from land-use change.
Unsustainable sourcing of biomass for energy
Coal-fired power plants are being phased out because coal is the most polluting form of energy production, causing significant greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution that harm human health and the environment. To ease the transition, biomass is increasingly being used as a replacement fuel in these existing power plants. However, the heavy use of unsustainably sourced biomass can lead to deforestation, resulting in biodiversity loss and increased greenhouse gas emissions from land-use change.
Nº 64
- Climate & Atmosphere
- Energy Emission Reduction
- Promotion of Bio-CHP
some attempts made
past case
Region-1
Region-2
Region-3
Region-4
ongoing case
no attempts made
None
Unsustainable sourcing of biomass for energy
While in the past bioenergy systems in Denmark were more local, the international emphasis on climate change mitigation and Denmark’s resulting vision of zero fossil fuel use by 2050 has recently increased the role of bioenergy and made the bioenergy ‘arena’ more international, complex and controversial. For example, sourcing bioenergy for the Danish market can affect food supplies elsewhere through competing land use and a food price effect. It is also argued that the climate neutrality of energy use is compromised when large power plants switch from coal to wood, as this may involve new greenhouse gas emissions. Risks to biodiversity are also cited. Ultimately, the role of bioenergy in Denmark’s future energy mix remains controversial.
- Facilitated the efforts to address the initial problem
- Cascading (far-reaching effects following each other)
Jørgensen, Michael & Andersen, Bente Hessellund. (2012). The controversies over bioenergy in Denmark: ‘Bio’ is not the same as ‘sustainable’. Environmental Engineering and Management Journal, 11, 2101-2119. 10.30638/eemj.2012.262.
Jørgensen, M. S., & Andersen, B. H. (2012). THE CONTROVERSIES OVER BIOENERGY IN DENMARK:’BIO’IS NOT THE SAME AS’SUSTAINABLE.’. Environmental Engineering & Management Journal (EEMJ), 11(11).
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