Introduction To Sustainable Utilisation Of Forest Energy

There are several reasons for enhancing the use of forest biomass for energy in Europe. Global considerations of climate change play an important role, together with also European and national considerations. Forest biomass is considered to be a sustainable source of energy, since the CO₂ released during combustion is later taken up from the atmosphere by the vegetation to produce new biomass. Furthermore, release of CO₂ to the atmosphere would alternatively take place as a part of the mineralisation. Biomass is also a domestic and distributed fuel, meaning increased local security of energy supplies, increased activity, income and employment in rural areas and a possible reduction of costs for agricultural overproduction in Europe. However, these views need a more detailed examination as many forest biomass production systems also needs inputs from fossil energy, and it has also been questioned if negative impacts on e.g. biodiversity and long-term soil fertility more than counteract the positive effect of this CO₂-neutral energy source.

Forest bioenergy utilisation is closely related to issues of pronounced political importance such as energy policies and the international processes for sustainable development, especially climate change and sustainable forest management.