by Cristel Zoebisch, Dr. Gretchen Kroh, and Mary Olive (Carbon 180) The soil beneath our feet and biomass on lands are a powerful carbon sink, second only to our oceans. Farms, forests, wetlands, and other land-based systems remove and store 25%
forestry
Back TO HOMELesser Slave Region, Alberta Issued BDO Zone ‘BBB’ Rating for Woody Biomass
(Bioeconomy Development Opportunity Zone Initiative) Boosting Regional Economic Growth and Fostering Local Business Development in Indigenous Communities -- First Indigenous Energy Services Inc., Ecostrat and the BDO Zone Initiative are pleased to announce the issue of an investment grade BDO Zone ‘BBB’ Rating for the Lesser
December 11, 2024 Read Full Article
Ontario Conference Examines Indigenous-Led Forestry, Biomass
by Mike Stimpson (Canadian Biomass Magazine) Jason Rasevych, president of the Anishnawbe Business Professional Association and director of Waawoono Consultancy, says many communities in Northern Ontario “have been able to increase their participation in the forest sector through a process of
October 16, 2024 Read Full Article
Biden-Harris Administration Makes up to $7.7 Billion Available for Climate-Smart Practices on Agricultural Lands as Part of Investing in America Agenda DEADLINES varied
(US Department of Agriculture) USDA Provides Historic Investments for Working Lands through Inflation Reduction Act and Farm Bill -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today (October 2, 2024) announced up to $7.7 billion in assistance for fiscal year 2025 to help
October 04, 2024 Read Full Article
USDA Backs Research into Making Sustainable Jet Fuel and Fish Feed from Wood
(University of Maine) Millions of pounds of low-value wood, such as small diameter trees and branches, have been left behind in Maine’s forests due to the decline in pulp and paper production, stymied by drought, fire suppression and dropping demand. While
August 08, 2024 Read Full Article
Unlocking New Zealand's Green Energy Future: Short Rotation Forestry Holds Key to Lowering Fossil Fuel Dependency
(Scion) A two-year research project has shed light on the promising opportunities for regional New Zealand to adopt short rotation forestry (SRF) for bioenergy production. The findings show that leveraging short rotation forestry will not only diversify regional economies, but also contribute to
June 07, 2024 Read Full Article
The Québec Government Invests $1.15 Million to Support Projects for the Conversion of Forest Biomass into Energy
( Consortium de recherche et innovations en bioprocédés industriels au Québec (CRIBIQ)) The Quebec government has announced a three-year, $1.15 million grant to the Consortium de recherche et innovations en bioprocédés industriels au Québec (CRIBIQ) to promote innovation and pre-commercialization in the supply and conditioning of
May 29, 2024 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2024 Multi-Slide Guide to USDA Federal Programs in Support of the Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Inflation Reduction Act provides nearly $40 billion for USDA over the next 10 years to improve life and livelihoods in rural communities. Specific investments include: $19.3 billion for climate-smart agriculture on farms, ranches, and forests;
May 17, 2024 Read Full Article
CALL FOR PROPOSALS €213 Million Available for Advancing Europe’s Circular Bio-based Economy DEADLINE September 18, 2024
(Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking) CBE JU published its 2024 call for project proposals. A total of €213 million will be dedicated to advancing competitive circular bio-based industries in Europe across 18 topics. All stakeholders of the circular bio-based sector
May 06, 2024 Read Full Article
USDA Releases Latest Economic Impact Report on Bioeconomy
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) Latest Economic Impact Report Shows a Thriving and Resilient Bioeconomy Despite Impacts of the Global Pandemic -- USDA Rural Development (RD) released “An Economic Impact Analysis of the U.S. Biobased Products Industry: 2023 Update," which demonstrates how the biobased products
March 28, 2024 Read Full Article
2023 Billion-Ton Report: An Assessment of U.S. Renewable Carbon Resources
(U.S. Department of Energy) The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technology Office's (BETO) 2023 Billion-Ton Report (BT23) is the 4th in a series of assessments of potential biomass resources available in the United States. BT23 explores these resources in
March 19, 2024 Read Full Article
Sustainable Forestry Initiative Annual Conference --- June 4-6, 2024 --- Atlanta, Georgia
The importance of forests for the well-being of people and the planet is clear – and SFI has established itself as a recognized leader working to advance sustainability through forest-focused collaboration. We are looking to the future and the change
March 08, 2024 Read Full Article
Advancing Certification Schemes for Bio-based Feedstock – The BIORECER Project
(Renewable Carbon News/nova institute) In four case studies the project will test the assessment framework and additionally assesses novel value chains based on biological feedstocks -- The EU funded BIORECER project, currently in its 18th month, aims to increase the use and to
March 07, 2024 Read Full Article
Coconino County, Arizona BDO Zone Issued ‘A’ Rating for Woody Biomass
(Bioeconomy Development Opportunity Zone Initiative) ‘A’ rating supports development of industry and forest restoration Initiatives – Coconino County and Ecostrat are pleased to announce a new Bioeconomy Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone designation for woody biomass. Extending a 75-mile drive distance centered in Bellemont, AZ, it is
February 29, 2024 Read Full Article
The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) Has Published a Guide to Specified Biomass Harvesting (SBH)
The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) has published a guide to Specified Biomass Harvesting (SBH) as part of sustainable forest management. Ireland has grown a significant forest resource over the past century since independence, with much of this forest resource now
February 20, 2024 Read Full Article
Sustainable Carbon Removals Limits Identified, Huge Climate Mitigation Challenge Revealed
(University of Melbourne/EurekAlert!) Governments and businesses are relying on dangerous amounts of future removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere, instead of more rapidly reducing emissions and phasing out fossil fuels. This problem is partly due to an incomplete picture1 of
February 13, 2024 Read Full Article
Opinion: Canada’s Greatest Climate Challenge and Responsibility Is Our Forests
by Jamie Stephen (Canadian Biomass Magazine/TorchLight Bioresources) ... Research on the world’s boreal forests shows two diametrically opposed approaches and outcomes. On one side is Canada, Alaska, and Russia, which see massive carbon losses from wildfires. On the other are the Nordic
January 03, 2024 Read Full Article
Fire! Open Letter to US Treasury, Energy Secretaries on Addressing the Threat of Forest Fire via the Bioeconomy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Which brings us to the forest, because once we have stopped by the commodity exchanges where oilseeds, grains, and waste fats and oils are priced and traded, we discover right away that commodity prices are
December 11, 2023 Read Full Article
HIF Global and Forico Team up to Deliver Australia's First eFuels Plant
(Forico) HIF Global, the world’s leading eFuels company, today (November 27, 2023) announces a Memorandum of Understanding with Forico, Tasmania’s largest private forestry manager, to support development of Australia’s first eFuels production facility. The collaboration anticipates utilisation of a site at Forico’s
December 01, 2023 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2023 Multi-Slide Guide to the Role of Biomass in Forest Management
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Tule River Indian Reservation is 56,000 acres serving about 2,000 members drawn from Yokuts, Pauite, Mono, Tubatulabal tribes. Found on the foothills and western slopes of the Sierra Nevada, land uses include forestry, cattle ranching, and
December 01, 2023 Read Full Article
Women in Forestry 2024 --- March 8, 2024 --- ONLINE
Attracting a diverse forestry workforce is a pressing business issue for companies of all sizes across Canada, and it will mean big changes to how companies recruit, train, and retain their employees. Join Canadian Forest Industries, Pulp & Paper Canada, Canadian Biomass and Opérations Forestières et
November 29, 2023 Read Full Article
Municipal District of Greenview and County of Grande Prairie, Alberta BDO Zone Issued ‘A’ Rating for Woody Biomass
(Bioeconomy Development Opportunity Zone) ‘A’ Rating can help unlock Alberta’s forestry bioeconomy -- The Municipal District (MD) of Greenview, the County of Grande Prairie, and Ecostrat are pleased to announce the issue of a new Bioeconomy Development Opportunity (BDO) Zone rating for woody biomass. The prestigious ‘A’ rating
November 04, 2023 Read Full Article
USDA Releases Assessment on Agriculture and Forestry in Carbon Markets
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) A key deliverable under the Growing Climate Solutions Act, the report identifies opportunities and needed solutions to improve farmers’ access to carbon markets -- U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) released A General Assessment of the Role of Agriculture and
October 24, 2023 Read Full Article
New US Producers Plan 4.4 Million mt/year Green Methanol for Shipping
by Max Lin (S&P Global/Platts) Emerging players eyes strong maritime demand growth; SunGas, Carbon Sink and WasteFuel to start production this decade; US IRA provides strong financial incentives -- Emerging fuel producers are looking to rapidly ramp up "green methanol" output from later this
September 21, 2023 Read Full Article
Pulp and Paper Biorefineries: Old and New Challenges for a Circular Economy Leader
by David Peterson (Lee Enterprises Consulting/Biofuels Digest) ... Interestingly, pulp and paper operations are a forerunner to modern biorefineries that operate as “circular economies”. The underlying benefit of a biorefinery is the collection, transportation, and concentration of biomass to one location
September 11, 2023 Read Full Article
Enviros Assail Forest Service Report, Saying It Could Promote Logging
by Minho Kim (Politico Pro Climatewire) The Forest Service faces criticism for projecting that forests could become carbon emitters by 2070 instead of continuing as carbon sinks. -- Activists are condemning a recent Forest Service report to Congress, saying one of its
August 15, 2023 Read Full Article
Ag Policy Blog: USDA Unveils $300M Greenhouse Gas Measurement, Monitoring Plan
by Jerry Hagstrom (DTN Progressive Farmer) Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will announce Wednesday that USDA will spend $300 million to improve measurement, monitoring, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sequestration in climate-smart agriculture and forestry. The money will come from
July 12, 2023 Read Full Article
NZ Government Invests in Sustainable, Lower Impact Forestry Industry
by Alan Sherrard (Bioenergy International) Plantation forestry is a significant land use in the Tairāwhiti Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay regions, with 157 295 ha and 139 598 ha under Radiata pine (Pinus radiata) respectively. However, a growing concern is the
June 12, 2023 Read Full Article
Ontario Creating New Program to Support Forestry Innovation and Job Creation
(Ontario Natural Resources and Forestry) Province announces close to $20 million for new Forest Biomass Program --The Government of Ontario is strengthening the economy and promoting innovation in the forest sector with the creation of a new, $19.6 million Forest
May 31, 2023 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2023 Multi-Slide Guide to Currently Used and Future Potential of Biomass Resources in the US
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) The Billion Ton 23 update is coming. BETO needs a comprehensive biomass resource assessment that is end-use agnostic — for example, MSW and microalgae numbers in BT16 do not represent current BETO Analysis. There is
April 27, 2023 Read Full Article
The Bioeconomy’s Role in Global Emissions Reduction, Part 1: Biofuels and Biomaterials
(World Bio Market Insights) ... Biofuels and biomaterials are keystone climate mitigation technologies. A 2023 study estimated that if all plastics today were replaced with biobased ones, greenhouse gas emissions savings could equal 369 megatonnes, or around 1% of global emissions. However, the carbon-reducing
April 20, 2023 Read Full Article
DOC’s Bureau of Economic Analysis Releases Report on Developing a National Measure of the Economic Contributors of the Bioeconomy
by Lynn L. Bergeson and Carla N. Hutton (Bergeson & Campbell) President Joseph Biden’s September 12, 2022, Executive Order (EO) creating a National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative directs the U.S. Department of Commerce’s (DOC) Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) to assess “the
April 10, 2023 Read Full Article
Guest Post: The State of ‘Carbon Dioxide Removal’ in Seven Charts
by Steven Smith, Jan Minx, Greg Nemet and Oliver Geden (Carbon Brief) Taking CO2 out of the air – a practice known as carbon dioxide removal (CDR) – is increasingly recognised as a crucial part of achieving climate goals, alongside rapidly
February 20, 2023 Read Full Article
The 2023 Farm Bill Should Be a Climate Bill, Democrats Say
by Maxine Joselow (Washington Post) These House Democrats want the farm bill to be a ‘huge climate win' -- ... Rather, the farm bill — the five-year reauthorization of hundreds of billions of dollars in agriculture and food programs —
February 16, 2023 Read Full Article
USDA Forest Service Accepting Grant Applications for Wood Innovations Projects, Community Wood Energy Facilities DEADLINE March 23, 2023
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service today announced it will offer $41 million through the 2023 Wood Innovations Grant and 2023 Community Wood Grant programs to spark innovation and create new markets for wood products and
February 13, 2023 Read Full Article
Yosemite Clean Energy to Receive $1 Million from State of California for Forest Biomass to Hydrogen Projects
(Hydrogen Central) Yosemite Clean Energy to receive $1 million from state of California for forest biomass to hydrogen projects. -- Yosemite Clean Energy (“Yosemite”) was selected to receive two $500,000 Forest Biomass to Carbon-Negative Biofuels grants from the California Department of Conservation
January 25, 2023 Read Full Article
The Digest’s 2023 Multi-Slide Guide to Forestry and the US Renewable Fuel Standard, the Key Issues.
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Where does forestry fit into the RFS and with the biofuels industry, asks Lee Enterprises Consulting’s Larry Sullivan in this enlightening tour of the past, present and future of forest-based feedstocks. Sullivan goes back to
January 06, 2023 Read Full Article
Oregonians Express Mixed Feelings about Benefits of Logging, Survey Says
by Alex Baumhardt (News from the States) ... More than half of the respondents support collecting wood debris left in forests from logging and converting it into biofuels, such as biodiesel for cars and trucks, or for electricity. But about 30%
January 04, 2023 Read Full Article
Climate Action Plan Lacks Recognition for the Immediate Role and Potential of Bioenergy – IrBEA
(Irish Bioenergy Association) The Irish Bioenergy Association (IrBEA) is disappointed and concerned that the Climate Action Plan published yesterday (December 21, 2022) does not adequately recognise the immediate and broad role of bioenergy in achieving Ireland’s ambitious climate action targets. The
January 04, 2023 Read Full Article
New Study Confirms: Bioenergy from Forest Residues Has Significant Positive Impact on Climate Change Mitigation
(Bioenergy Europe) The preliminary results of a recent study show that the utilisation of forest residues for bioenergy will have a positive climate effect until 2050. The report takes into account the fact that these residues would otherwise be left
December 23, 2022 Read Full Article
University of Maine Outlines Ways to Recruit More Women into Forestry Bioenergy Sector
(Bioenergy Insight) University of Maine researchers have devised a roadmap to recruit more women into the forestry industry, and particularly the bioenergy sector. The team, led by Abigayl “Abby” Novak, a master’s student in forest resources at the BioEnergy Lab of the
December 01, 2022 Read Full Article
Scientists Call for ‘Climate Smart’ Forestry in Face of Global Warming
by Frédéric Simon (EURACTIV.com) “Wood from sustainably managed forests is CO2-neutral, with respect to the ecosystem processes,” the letter points out, saying selected harvesting removes competition between individual trees and enables forests to recover more quickly from losses caused by
October 28, 2022 Read Full Article
USDA Picks 70 Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities in Historic $2.8B Investment
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) News has arrived from Washington that the U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing up to $2.8 billion in 70 projects under the first pool of the Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities funding opportunity. It’s become the US Department of Action,
September 20, 2022 Read Full Article
Facts, Not Fiction: Bioenergy from Wood Contributes to Europe’s Energy Security and Is Part of a Sustainable Energy Mix
(IEA Bioenergy) IEA Bioenergy: Commenting on the upcoming Planetary vote in the European Parliament on the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) next week, Dr. Paul Bennett, Chair of the Executive Committee of IEA Bioenergy said. Europe is facing a hard winter season
September 09, 2022 Read Full Article
Climate Change- Collective Action or Collective Suicide?
(Solutions from the Land) In a virtual address delivered at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue in Berlin earlier this week, UN Secretary General António Guterres delivered a sobering message to the delegates and those watching across the world. He said “We
July 20, 2022 Read Full Article
USIPA: EU Council Affirms Support for Biomass
( U.S. Industrial Pellet Association/Biomass Magazine) The U.S. Industrial Pellet Association (USIPA) on June 28 welcomed continued support for sustainable sourcing of ‘primary woody biomass’ by the EU Council’s General Approach for revising the Renewable Energy Directive (REDIII). Amendments to the directive
July 06, 2022 Read Full Article
In a Collaboration with GoogleCloud, Gevo to Measure and Verify the Carbon Intensity of Biofuels Across the Supply Chain Utilizing Verity Tracking
(Gevo/Globe Newswire) Partnership expects to enable users to track and verify emissions using datasets and analytics tools from Google Cloud -- Gevo, Inc. (NASDAQ: GEVO) today announced that it has entered into a partner agreement with Google Cloud to measure and
June 07, 2022 Read Full Article
Ontario Launches Forest Biomass Action Plan
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The Ontario government on March 28 finalized its Forest Biomass Action Plan, which promotes economic opportunities for using forest biomass in new diverse ways, including low-carbon consumer products and renewable energy. A draft action plan was released
March 30, 2022 Read Full Article
Science Says Thinned Forests Are Healthy Forests
(U.S. Forest Service/Biomass Magazine) Overgrown forests are one of the key contributing factors to the current wildfire crisis in the West. The new Forest Service strategy on Confronting the Wildfire Crisis outlines the agency’s plan for increasing fuels and forest health treatments to create healthier
March 16, 2022 Read Full Article
SfL Lauds Launch of New USDA Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities Program DEADLINES April 8 and May 27, 2022 EXTENDED to June 10, 2022
(Solutions from the Land) Solutions from the Land (SfL) wholeheartedly endorses Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities, a new USDA program announced today by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack. “This exciting new program provides another opportunity and pathway to enable farmers, ranchers, forest
February 07, 2022 Read Full Article
RFA Supports EPA’s Proposed 2022 RFS Volumes, Urges Agency to Abandon Retroactive Cut to 2020 Volume
(Renewable Fuels Association) In comments submitted today (February 4, 2022) to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Renewable Fuels Association expressed strong support for the agency’s proposed 2022 renewable volume obligations (RVO) while opposing the proposed retroactive reduction of the previously finalized
February 07, 2022 Read Full Article
Can Carbon Credits for Improving Forests Help Save Them -- and Us -- from Climate Change?
by Natasha Lomas (Tech Crunch) ... One example of dubious carbon offsetting involves existing woodlands being repurposed for carbon credits in a way that artificially inflates the claimed credit -- such as by claiming a forest was going to be cut down
February 02, 2022 Read Full Article
UFOP Misses Recognition of Bioenergy as an Essential Contribution to Climate Protection
(Union for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP)) ... The UFOP therefore appeals to Federal Minister Habeck - also because of his government experience as the former Minister of Agriculture of Schleswig-Holstein - to evaluate the biomass production
January 17, 2022 Read Full Article
£26m Funding to Support UK Biomass Projects
(Bioenergy Insight) Innovative biomass projects across the UK can now bid for a share of £26 million (€30.4 million) in government funding. Biomass, which is backed by the independent Climate Change Committee, will be an important part of the UK’s
January 06, 2022 Read Full Article
UK Offers Phase 2 Funds for Biomass Feedstock Innovation Program
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) The U.K. government on Dec. 20 announced its now accepting applications for phase two funding under the Biomass Feedstocks Innovation Program. Entities that received phase one funding are eligible to apply. According to the U.K. government, new
December 29, 2021 Read Full Article
Alba Soler, Dr. Calliope Panoutsou and Dr. Kyriakos Maniatis on “Sustainable Biomass Availability in the EU to 2050”
by Tammy Klein (Transport Energy Strategies) For this video podcast, I spoke with Alba Soler Estrella, Science Associate Low-Carbon Pathways, at Concawe, the European refining industry’s scientific and technical body, Dr. Calliope Panoutsou of the Imperial College London Consultants and Dr. Kyriakos Maniatis, recently
November 11, 2021 Read Full Article
Garamendi Introduces Bill Requiring EPA to Process eRIN Pathways
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) Rep. John Garamendi, D-Calif., on Nov. 5 introduced the Biomass and Biogas for Electric Vehicles Act, which aims to require the U.S. EPA to process long-delayed Renewable Fuel Standard pathway applications to generate eRINs, allowing
November 10, 2021 Read Full Article
Plant-Based Waste and Residues into Biofuel – Geeking out over Lignocellulose
by Richard Pallardy (Neste) Plant biomass, or lignocellulose, is the most abundant renewable carbon source on the planet. It has been around forever, but only now are we starting to grasp its full potential in replacing fossil resources. What makes
November 05, 2021 Read Full Article
RFA Emphasizes Ethanol’s Potential in USDA Climate-Smart Program
(Renewable Fuels Association) The USDA’s new Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry program should prioritize projects that will help farmers and downstream processors—like ethanol biorefineries—measure, verify, and monetize carbon sequestration and emissions reductions that result from new technologies and more efficient practices. This
November 04, 2021 Read Full Article
Hoyer Introduces $9B Bill Bolstering Biden's Deforestation Vow at COP26
by Mychael Schnell (The Hill) House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) on Wednesday will introduce a bill that aims to bolster President Biden’s commitment at COP26 to end and reverse deforestation by allocating billions of dollars to the effort. The bill, first reported by CNN, calls
November 04, 2021 Read Full Article
Sufficient Sustainable Biomass Feedstock Available to Support an Ambitious Low-Carbon Liquid Fuels Strategy for EU Transport
(Fuels Europe) A new study by Imperial College London Consultants concludes that the potential availability of sustainable biomass, with no harm to biodiversity, could support an advanced and waste-based biofuel production of up to 175 Mtoe in 2050. This conclusion reinforces
October 26, 2021 Read Full Article
New Research Checks the Math of Large-Scale Tree Planting
(Nori) In our first science-focused episode of Carbon Removal Newsroom, hosts Radhika Moolgavkar of Nori and Holly Jean Buck of the University at Buffalo are joined by our new science co-host, Dr. Jane Zelikova, executive director of the Soil Carbon Solutions Center and joint faculty in crop and soil
October 13, 2021 Read Full Article
Biomass Innovations under Investigation Part 4: Forestry and Energy Crops
(Bio Market Insights) ... Forestry: Mostex Global Solutions: Integrated whole tree extraction and on site pre-processing of under-yielding forest resources Mostex was set up with the aim of reducing the corrosive nature of agri-feedstock, establishing effective methods of handling this material and improving
October 13, 2021 Read Full Article
USDA Investing $75 million in Partner-Led Projects with Focus on Climate-Smart Ag, Equity in Program Delivery
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest nearly $75 million for 15 partner-led projects to address natural resource concerns on private lands. This year, projects funded by the Regional Conservation Partnership Program’s (RCPP) Alternative Funding Arrangements
September 27, 2021 Read Full Article
FutureMetrics Paper Addresses the Biomass Carbon Debt Fallacy
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) FutureMetrics on Sept. 9 published a new white paper revisiting the flawed assumption that there is a carbon debt after wood is harvested and explaining why some academics continue to perpetuate the carbon debt fallacy. The paper,
September 21, 2021 Read Full Article
Biomass from Forest Restoration: The Digest’s 2021 Multi-Slide Guide to PNNL Project
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Wildfires around the globe have been increasing but what about controlled fires? The U.S. Department of Energy and Pacific Northwest National Lab is looking at prioritizing how and where to target forest restoration (timber harvest
September 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Fit for 55: The EU's Plan for a Green Transition
(European Council) As part of the European Green Deal, with the European Climate Law, the EU has set itself a binding target of achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This requires current greenhouse gas emission levels to drop substantially in the next decades.
July 29, 2021 Read Full Article
Shaheen, Collins Lead Bipartisan Letter to EPA Urging Support for Biomass Industry
(Office of Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)) U.S. Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Susan Collins (R-ME) led a bipartisan letter to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Michael Regan urging the Biden administration to address languishing applications under the renewable fuel standard (RFS) program, including
June 17, 2021 Read Full Article
In the U.S. South, a Forestry Project Helps Black Families Keep Their Land
by Carey L. Biron (Reuters) ... Many of the families were poor but rich in land, offering an opportunity today for those who still own property, said Alton Perry, a former U.S. government forester who works as program manager with
June 09, 2021 Read Full Article
USDA Releases 90-Day Progress Report on Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry
(U.S. Department of Agriculture) The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today published the 90-Day Progress Report on Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry (PDF, 561 KB). The report represents an important step toward in President Biden’s Executive Order on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad and
May 20, 2021 Read Full Article
Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service Explores Biofuels As A Major Opportunity For New Zealand
(New Zealand Ministry For Primary Industries/Business Scoop) Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service is laying the foundations for a new biofuels industry, to turn forestry waste into a potential billion-dollar industry, and working on a business case with help
May 19, 2021 Read Full Article
The Renewable & Low-Carbon Liquid Fuels Platform, toward Transport Fuels' Transformation
(Fuels Europe) The major organisations[1] operating in the liquid fuels value chain have joined forces to form the Renewable & Low-Carbon Liquid Fuel Platform. These partners are working together to contribute to the decarbonisation of the mobility sector in a sustainable and affordable way. They represent
May 18, 2021 Read Full Article
EU to Launch Carbon Farming Framework by End-2021 Following Two-Year Study
by Jack Ellis (Ag Funder News) The European Commission – the executive branch of the EU administration which is responsible for proposing bloc-wide legislation – has published the findings of its two-year study into creating a “carbon farming” framework for the EU. The
April 30, 2021 Read Full Article
USDA Seeks Public Input on Climate-Smart Ag and Forestry Strategy DEADLINE April 30, 2021
by Erin Voegele (Ethanol Producer Magazine) The USDA on March 15 announced it is opening a 45-day public comment period to gather input on its climate-smart agriculture and forestry strategy, including several topics focused specifically on biofuels, bioproducts and renewable energy. The
March 16, 2021 Read Full Article
Maryland Releases Bold New Plan to Achieve Climate Goals
(Maryland Department of the Environment) State Pursues Ambitious Goal to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 50% by 2030 as Nation Officially Re-enters Paris Climate Accord -- The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has released a comprehensive plan that sets a
February 23, 2021 Read Full Article
Campaigns Questioning the Use of Woody Biomass for Energy Are Missing Key Facts Says IEA (International Energy Agency) Bioenergy
(International Energy Agency) There are concurrent media campaigns and publications questioning the use of woody biomass for renewable energy production. Several of them misrepresent on-the-ground forestry practise and bioenergy systems, and associate the use of woody biomass for energy with overexploitation
February 11, 2021 Read Full Article
FAO and IRENA Join Forces to Boost Renewables in Food and Agriculture
(Food and Agriculture Organization) The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) have today underscored their continued commitment to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy technologies in agri-food, fisheries and forestry chains
January 15, 2021 Read Full Article
Circular Bioeconomy Report: The Business Opportunity Contributing to a Sustainable World
(World Business Council for Sustainable Development) The Circular Bioeconomy report calls for a shift towards a sustainable, low-carbon, circular bioeconomy to capture part of the USD $7.7 trillion opportunity identified in the CEO Guide to the Circular Bioeconomy published in November 2019. It
November 27, 2020 Read Full Article
Drax, Earthworm Foundation Develop Tool to Evaluate Forest Health
(Bioenergy Insight) Drax Group has teamed up with non-profit organisation, the Earthworm Foundation, on an evidence-based tool to measure and evaluate the health of a forest. The new tool, known as Healthy Forest Landscapes (HFL) will ensure that working forests continue
November 03, 2020 Read Full Article
Plants Rule! Harnessing the Sun for a Negative-Carbon Bio-economy
(Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association) ... Among the Carbon-negative (and climate positive) solutions, those based on photosynthesis are by far the cheapest and most scalable options now, and likely for many decades to come. Properly implemented, these solutions can also provide
October 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Scotland’s Opportunity to Grow a New Clean, Sustainable Economy
by Mark Bustard (Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre (IBioIC)/Biofuels Digest) The idea of a net zero carbon emissions and zero waste economy isn’t as far-fetched as some may think. The key promise of a bio-based economy is that we can grow the
September 29, 2020 Read Full Article
The Use of Forest Biomass for Climate Change Mitigation: Dispelling Some Misconceptions
(IEA Bioenergy) Articles and statements in the media have raised concerns over the climate effects of bioenergy from managed forests2. As some of these statements seem to reflect misconceptions about forest bioenergy, IEA Bioenergy has prepared a brief document presenting
September 01, 2020 Read Full Article
Don’t Look to Mature Forests to Soak Up Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Results of Australian Study May Have Impact on New York State Carbon Neutrality Goals
(Suny College of Environmental Science and Forestry) Research published today in Nature suggests mature forests are limited in their ability to absorb "extra" carbon as atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations increase. These findings may have implications for New York state's carbon neutrality
April 23, 2020 Read Full Article
Researchers Model Spatial and Temporal Consequences of Increased Woody Biomass Use on the Global Forest Ecosystem
(University of Maine) Incentivizing both sequestration and avoidance of emissions— using a carbon rental or carbon tax and subsidy approach — versus only a carbon tax encourages protection of natural forests by valuing the standing stock, according to a new study
April 17, 2020 Read Full Article
Looking beyond the Headlines during COVID-19 Pandemic
by Gerard J. Ostheimer and Douglas L. Faulkner (below50/Leatherstocking LLC/Biofuels Digest) ... The 1 – 2 punch of the COVID-19 economic hit and the Saudi – Russian fight over oil markets have combined to collapse the price of oil. Low
March 26, 2020 Read Full Article
Notice of Request for Public Comment on Updates to Technical Guidelines for Quantifying Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Carbon Sequestration at the Entity-Scale for Agriculture and Forestry COMMENTS DUE April 20, 2020
(U.S. Department of Agriculture/Federal Register) In accordance with Section 2709 of the 2008 Farm Bill, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) developed technical guidelines and science-based methods to quantify greenhouse gas sources and sinks from the agriculture and forest sectors
March 07, 2020 Read Full Article
Social, Environmental and Economic Responsibility: The Digest’s 2020 Multi-Slide Guide to Stora Enso’s Sustainability Actions and Goals
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) Stora Enso cares for people and planet, from forests to innovation, manufacturing, product use, and end-of-life integrated into their business. Here’s an in-depth look at what they did in 2019 to support customers and consumer
March 06, 2020 Read Full Article
Innovation and Strategic Orientations for the Development of Advanced Biorefineries
by Giuliano Dragone, Abraham A.J.Kerssemakers, Jasper L.S.P.Driessen, Celina K.Yamakawa, Larissa P.Brumano, Solange I.Mussatto (Bioresource Technology) Advanced biorefineries are seen as key to implement a sustainable biobased economy. • Total valorization of biomass can boost the industrial implementation of biorefineries. •
February 18, 2020 Read Full Article
Q&A with Brian Rogers, Future Forests + Jobs
by Anna Simet (Biomass Magazine) ... -The recently launched Future Forests + Jobs is an initiative aimed at pushing back against anti-forestry and anti-biomass activists. Why is this effort needed and what are your goals? Thanks for the opportunity to share
November 05, 2019 Read Full Article
Planting a Trillion Trees Will Not Halt Climate Change
by Kay Ledbetter (Farm Progress/Southwest Farm Press) Tree planting in natural grasslands can destroy plant and animal habitat and won't sequester enough carbon to compensate for fossil fuel emissions. -- A group of 46 scientists from around the world, led by
October 28, 2019 Read Full Article
European Biofuels Industry Cries Foul that Green EU Financing Doesn’t Include Sustainable Technologies
by Meghan Sapp (Biofuels Digest) In Belgium, as the EU institutions begin negotiations on a new regulation defining sustainability in green finance, a group of ten associations representing the Europe’s bioenergy, agriculture and forest groups have called for a coherent legislative framework
October 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Green Shoots: After a Sluggish Decade, Is the Bioenergy Tide Turning?
by Gerard J. Ostheimer, Ph.D. (below50) and Douglas L. Faulkner (“the Clean Tech Conservative” / Leatherstocking LLC) (Biofuels Digest) ... On the left there is a surging sense of climate action urgency. On the right is growing concern over energy security.
October 23, 2019 Read Full Article
Florida Ag Producers, Foresters Share Ideas to Deal with Climate Change
(Solutions from the Land) Florida Rep. Kathy Castor told a group of farmers, ranchers and timber producers in her state Monday that responding to a changing climate must be a collaborative effort, drawing together producers, government agencies and academics to
August 14, 2019 Read Full Article
Whole-Tree Harvesting Could Boost Biomass Production
by Kelley Christensen (Michigan Technological University) ... Forest biomass is expected to be one of the key energy sources, but many people have wondered how to feed biofuel plants the materials they need without destroying forest resources. Whole-tree aspen logging promotes renewable biomass
July 16, 2019 Read Full Article
2016-2018 Measuring, Governing and Gaining Support for Sustainable Bioenergy Supply Chains
(IEA Bioenergy) Several systems to define and monitor performance and progress towards sustainability of bioenergy have been developed for implementation at different scales, including operations, landscapes or jurisdictions. Some are formalised systems (e.g. GBEP 2011; RSB 2016; ISO 2015; ASTM 2016;
June 24, 2019 Read Full Article
Meaningful Solutions for a Changing Climate Require Proactive Partnerships
(Solutions from the Land) One of Solution from the Land's (SfL) primary missions over the past decade has been to help and inspire agricultural and forestry sector leaders to become powerful voices in the broader discussion of climate change, including adaptation
June 04, 2019 Read Full Article
Wyden, Merkley Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Promote Cleaner Transportation Fuel, Healthier Forests
(Office of Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)) Legislation allows the use of biomass waste from certain federal lands in the making of renewable fuels -- U.S. Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley today introduced bipartisan legislation to allow the use of biomass from
May 24, 2019 Read Full Article
State Leadership Fuels Carbon Reduction, Clean Energy Booms
(Solutions from the Land) ... The swelling momentum of state leadership pushing forward climate issues and solutions, as well as growing engagement with the challenges of climate change on Capitol Hill, shows there is a surging opportunity for stakeholders from the
May 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Canada’s First Bioeconomy Strategy Launched
(Bioenergy International) Canada’s first national Bioeconomy Strategy has been released by Bioindustrial Innovation Canada (BIC). Produced by BIC in partnership with BIOTECanada, FPInnovations and Forest Products Association of Canada, the report reflects the views of more than 400 industry representatives from
May 15, 2019 Read Full Article
Letter from Washington – Taxes, Blends, RINs, Jobs and “The Year of the Tree”
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... (C)onsider this for now a Digested summary of the (Washington, DC) news you can use, as short as we can make it so that we return you to the business of building the bioeconomy
May 14, 2019 Read Full Article
The Low Carbon Coast
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ... Washington state (House--see correction below) has passed a low carbon fuel standard that would have it join itself to the standards already enacted in California, Oregon and British Columbia and under development now for the
May 09, 2019 Read Full Article
VTT and RISE Strengthening Collaboration in Bio- and Circular Economy
(Research Institutes of Sweden) The objective of the new agreement between VTT and RISE is to establish a framework for collaboration in the field of bio- and circular economy test and demo infrastructures. The purpose is to create a comprehensive infrastructure
May 07, 2019 Read Full Article
Solutions from the Land: Delivering 21st Century Solutions To 21st Century Challenges
(Solutions from the Land) Last week marks the fifth anniversary of Solutions from the Land (SfL), a nonprofit organization that places farmers, ranchers and foresters at the forefront of resolving food system, energy, environmental and climate challenges and achieving global sustainable
April 23, 2019 Read Full Article
States, Local Governments Show Solutions to a Changing Climate Are Available
(Solutions from the Land) ... Ag and forestry sectors have for years been demonstrating the potential for opportunities to reduce, sequester or mitigate GHG emissions. These pathways include advanced land management practices, anaerobic digester systems, utilization of biofuels and renewable energy
March 28, 2019 Read Full Article
Finding Practical, Viable Solutions to a Changing Climate
(Solutions from the Land) ...Unfortunately, the (Green New Deal) resolution comes with a lack of recognition for the importance of all forms of renewable energy. In focusing on no-carbon renewables like wind and solar, the measure fails to reference other
February 28, 2019 Read Full Article
One Fish Model Study Leads to Three Wins for the Environment
by Tim Theiss (Oak Ridge National Laboratory/Department of Energy) Over the past two years, researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) have been modeling to understand the costs and benefits of
February 07, 2019 Read Full Article
Want a Bipartisan Push on Climate Change? Start With Unleashing American Biofuels
by Jeff Cosman (Morning Consult/Attis Industries Inc.) ... And in November, a letter from the Department of Energy, the EPA and the United States Department of Agriculture to Congress laid out a plan to encourage the use of efficient and carbon-neutral
February 06, 2019 Read Full Article
Gaining Support: The Digest’s 2019 Multi-Slide Guide to IEA Bioenergy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IEA Bioenergy’s inter-task proejct has done extensive work on the sustainability of bioenergy systems, including over 50 authors contributing to over 25 deliverables between 2016-2018 alone. Martin Junginger, Göran Berndes, Inge Stupak, and Uwe Fritsche from IEA
January 29, 2019 Read Full Article
A Sensible Approach to Climate Change Policy
(Solutions from the Land) ... That opening now allows for the presentation and consideration of a more centered and pragmatic approach like that promoted by Solutions from the Land (SfL) and the other members of the North America Climate Smart Agriculture
January 17, 2019 Read Full Article
Finnish Pilot Develops a New Solution for Sustainable Forestry
(VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd) New unique mobile application puts forest Big Data to more efficient use -- The whole of Europe is feverishly looking for new ways to use farm, forest and fishery resources more responsibly and sustainably
January 11, 2019 Read Full Article
Trump Issues Executive Order on Forest Management
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) An executive order on forest management issued by President Trump in late December addresses how rural economies can benefit through the utilization of byproducts created by forest restoration efforts. Trump issued the executive order on Dec. 21.
January 02, 2019 Read Full Article
Creating Trust in Bioenergy: The Digest’s Multi-Slide Guide to IEA Bioenergy
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) IEA Bioenergy conducted research on various approaches to creating trust in sustainability of bioenergy through effective governance. Inge Stupak and Tat Smith, IEA Bioenergy researchers gave this illuminating overview of ways to increase legitimacy and gain trust in
December 31, 2018 Read Full Article
Finnish Pilot Develops a New Solution for Sustainable Forestry
(VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd/EurekAlert) Finnish pilot develops a new solution for sustainable forestry New unique mobile application puts forest Big Data to more efficient use The whole of Europe is feverishly looking for new ways to use farm,
December 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Maine Technology Institute (MTI) Issues Request for Proposals for Emerging Technology Challenge for Maine’s Forest Resources DEADLINE: January 25, 2019
(Maine Technology Institute) MTI will award up to $1.5 million in grants to challenge winners, for one or more projects. -- The Maine Technology Institute (MTI) has announced a request for responses to the Emerging Technology Challenge for Maine’s Forest Resources. The
December 24, 2018 Read Full Article
Agriculture Sector Must Take Active Role in Creating Climate Policy
(Solutions from the Land) Events at the last round of global climate talks in Katowice, Poland over the past two weeks have drawn a spotlight on the need for agriculture, conservation and agribusiness interests to play a central role in the
December 13, 2018 Read Full Article
2018 Farm Bill Helps Rural America Become More Resilient: Rural Economies Crucial to Combating Climate Change
(Environmental and Energy Study Institute) The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) commends the Farm Bill conferees and the House and Senate Agriculture Committees for their tireless commitment to produce a Farm Bill, the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, this year. In a year
December 12, 2018 Read Full Article
SfL Report Assesses Challenges Posed by Changing Climatic Conditions in Missouri
(Solutions from the Land) Solutions from the Land (SfL) commends Missouri agriculture and forestry leaders who looked into the future, examined what science is telling them is coming from changing climatic conditions and extreme weather events, and explored opportunities to
October 30, 2018 Read Full Article
Biorefineries Will Have Only Minimal Effects on Wood Products and Feedstocks Markets
(International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis/Phys.Org) A new report from researchers from IIASA, Luleå University of Technology (LTU), and RISE Research Institutes of Sweden has shown that more biorefineries, which produce biobased fuels and chemicals, will have only a small effect
July 10, 2018 Read Full Article
SLU and Stora Enso in Strategic Partnership
(Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences) The Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Stora Enso. Through the agreement SLU and Stora Enso intend to establish a long-term collaboration in research and development, education, competence building,
June 06, 2018 Read Full Article
UNFCCC Ag Work Program Approval Affirms Old Adage: 'World is Run by Those who Show Up'
by Ernie Shea (Solutions from the Land/25 x '25) Over the past 10 years, Solutions from the Land (SfL) and 25x'25, our clean energy platform, has been supporting a group of knowledgeable, experienced and visionary farmers, ranchers and foresters who have
May 11, 2018 Read Full Article
NACSAA Advances Recommendations to Shape UNFCCC Agricultural Work Program
(25 x '25/North American Climate Smart Agriculture Alliance) Last November, we wrote here of a major breakthrough occurring at the global climate talks in Bonn, Germany, where, for the first time, delegates approved plans to establish an agricultural work program. What
March 30, 2018 Read Full Article
NZ Could Forge a Green Transport Fuels Future
(Scion/Scoop) Study proves New Zealand could forge a green transport fuels future -- New Zealand could build a renewable low-carbon transport fuels industry - but only if the nation decides to act. A report by Crown Research Institute Scion outlines how the country
February 27, 2018 Read Full Article
Is Energy from Woody Biomass Positive for the Climate?
(International Energy Agency) IEA Bioenergy has produced a brief on the question ‘Is energy from woody biomass positive for the climate?’ The brief provides background and a number of concise arguments on this question. Overall, energy from woody biomass can be very
February 27, 2018 Read Full Article
18.5 Million People Employed in Bioeconomy, Primarily in Biomass Production
by Helena Tavares Kennedy (Biofuels Digest) In Washington, DC, a study conducted by nova-Institute on behalf of the Bio-based Industries Consortium (BIC) showed for the first time which macroeconomic effects are generated by bioeconomy activities – those using renewable biological resources from land
February 26, 2018 Read Full Article
Agroforestry Systems May Play Vital Role in Mitigating Climate Change
by Jeff Mulhollem (Penn State News) Agroforestry could play an important role in mitigating climate change because it sequesters more atmospheric carbon in plant parts and soil than conventional farming, according to Penn State researchers. An agricultural system that combines trees with crops
February 07, 2018 Read Full Article
US Wood Pellet Exports Are Sustainable, Despite Growth: Report
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Tennessee, officials at Oak Ridge released a report on an ongoing debate about costs and benefits of wood-pellet based bioenergy production in the southeastern United States (SE US) requires an understanding of the science
April 24, 2017 Read Full Article
[Exclusive] Bioenergy Industry Consultant Critiques Scientists’ Letter to Congress
by Josh Schlossberg (The Biomass Monitor) A white paper by a bioenergy industry consulting firm critiques a recent letter sent to Congress by 65 U.S. scientists opposing a carbon neutral “biomass” amendment to an energy policy bill, saying the letter includes
August 01, 2016 Read Full Article
Solutions from the Land Leaders Bring North American Climate Smart Agriculture Ideas to Global Summit in Rome
(North American Climate Smart Agricultural Alliance) Solutions from the Land (SfL) is taking an active role in the Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture (GACSA) summit underway this week in Rome, pressing business, government, NGO and other leaders there to
June 16, 2016 Read Full Article
Forest Fuels Management and Biomass Utilization Bibliography: Knowledge Available for Management of North American Forest Fuels With Consideration of the Potential Uses of the Woody Biomass Generated by the Fuel Treatments
by David Patterson (Alberta Environment and Sustainable Resource Development) A nearly 900 page literature review regarding forest fuel reduction, isolation or modification treatments that can be used to reduce the risk of wildfire spread; including opportunities to use the biomass generated