CEPF comments to the Internet consultation on the EU biomass action plan
DG Transport and Energy is working on a biomass action plan. Different stakeholders were asked to share their opinions and concerns by answering a questionnaire. Developments in the field of biomass are very important for the future of the 16 Million private forest owners in the EU. CEPF pointed therefore at the following activities.
Recommendations for actions at Member State level
Activity 1
Oil, coal and gas are still so cheap that in most European countries and in most practical cases it is hardly yet profitable to collect the unused resources of forest energy. Shortage of oil and gas, climate policy and development of knowledge and technique for forest energy will slowly change the situation. We see the development of the demand (=consuming plants) for forest energy as the most efficient way to achieve results also in the supply chain from the forest.
Activity 2
Enhancing local entrepreneurship for small-scale investment in the forest energy logistic chain. The average size of family forest holdings in Europe is 13 ha. These family forest owners need to be motivated to invest in local business to enhance the use of forest energy. Local action needs to integrate awareness raising on the positive contribution of "Energy and electricity from forest" to rural and wider societal sustainable development.
Activity 3
There is a need to develop pilot projects to show how forest operation residues and other forest resources can be more efficiently taken into use for energy purposes. Pilot projects should preferably cover different situations where forest industry, municipalities and small-scale local supply initiatives can be demonstrated. Perform national research programmes to search for new potential of economically reasonable kinds of bio fuel.
Recommendations for actions at EU25 Level
Activity 1
Directive for heat production with biomass should promote installations of distribution systems and boiler plants in industry, municipalities and small local plants. All categories shall be equally promoted provided they have acceptable efficiency and environmental performance. Small local modern plants are essential to spread know-how and mobilize activity in rural areas with biomass resources.
Activity 2
Incentives for development, production and use of bio-fuels for transport purposes. Information campaign towards forest owners and rural communities that would increase the use of biomass. It is important to invest in capacity building and understanding of economically profitable and environmentally sound burning.
Activity 3
Establish a EU wide data bank on best practices of forest energy use from local to regional level. In that respect it is essential to have EU norms (e.g. for wood chips, pellets etc.) in place that facilitate the trade of forest energy for small-scale forest owners.