Wood Energy in the ECE Region: Data, trends and outlook in Europe, the Commonwealth of Independent States and North America (May 2018)

ECE/TIM/SP/42 Wood Energy in the ECE Region highlights the use of wood for energy and includes the most recent statistics on wood energy markets across the UNECE region. It aims to communicate the relevance of wood energy in the region and help bridge information about the forest and energy sectors. It also intends to offer some of the best-available information on the role that wood energy can play in various sectors to support environmental, energy, and socio-economic strategies toward a greener economy. It focuses on commercial wood energy uses in the UNECE inclusive of energy generated for cooking, heating and electricity generation.
Foreword

Wood energy is humanity’s first fuel and continues to be an important source of energy. In many developing countries, wood energy provides the majority of total energy supply and, surprisingly, in several developed countries, wood energy provides nearly 25% of total energy supply. Wood energy continues to be the leading renewable energy source in Europe, accounting for about 45% of primary energy from renewable sources.
Wood energy is also modern. Wood pellets, made from compressed wood particles, are changing the way wood is used for heat and power generation in the ECE region by virtue of their efficient combustion, convenience and the fact that they are more energy dense than traditional firewood. The manufacture of wood pellets and their distribution supports employment in the ECE region’s forest sector, often in rural areas where job opportunities are needed. This development has also provided market options for what had been low value residual wood products, such as sawdust, post-consumer wood and wood from harvest sites, which had often been seen as not having value and thus left in the forest or burned in the harvest area.
Policy measures to increase the share of renewable energy and decrease carbon emissions have played a strong role in the increased use of wood for energy and, together with the rapidly increasing oil prices at the beginning of this millennium, contributed to jumpstart a wider use of wood energy, particularly in Europe. Within the portfolio of renewable energy sources, wood energy has some clear advantages. It does not have the same limitations that other renewable energy sources have, as it is storable and will continue to provide energy even when there is no sun, wind, or when hydroelectricity generation potential is limited.
The use of wood for energy can have negative ramifications if not used properly. Wood energy can be a significant source of indoor and outdoor pollution if used inefficiently. The harvest of wood fuels can degrade forests if sustainable practices are not observed. Nonetheless, wood energy can be a very clean and sustainable fuel, if best practices are applied to sourcing, processing and combustion efficiency.
This publication sheds light on the current situation of: wood energy in the ECE region, types of wood fuels used, major sources and users, public policy instruments that support (and hinder) its use, and how to sustainably source wood. Moreover, it provides a future outlook on how the current social, economic and political trends and developments may mould the use of wood for energy and its sustainable production. Finally, we believe that this publication will show the current progress and future potential of wood energy to contribute in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.