Demystifying Biomass-Based Carbon Dioxide Removal: A Roadmap for Sustainable Biomass Sourcing
As the global transition to a net-zero future accelerates, biomass-based carbon dioxide removal (biomass-CDR) is emerging as a pivotal removal pathway in the fight against climate change. Biomass-CDR leverages nature's carbon capture system — photosynthesis — to remove CO₂ from the atmosphere. However, with growing competition for biomass in sectors like bioenergy and materials, it is critical to ensure that biomass used for carbon removal does not compete with higher-value applications, which could lead to unintended environmental and social impacts.
Understanding Biomass Sources and Their Role in CDR
Biomass comes from various sources, including agricultural residues like straw, husks, and livestock manure, as well as forestry by-products such as wood chips and bark. Biomass is increasingly recognised as a renewable resource that can be sustainably managed to help mitigate climate change. However, the challenge lies in balancing its use for CDR against its applications in energy generation, materials, and food production.
Ensuring Responsible Biomass Sourcing
Sourcing biomass responsibly is crucial to avoiding negative environmental and social impacts. ClimeFi advocates for a thorough assessment of the biomass's counterfactual scenario and potential market leakage. We recommend the following roadmap:
- Primary biomass should only be used for biomass-CDR if it is purposely produced for CDR on non-arable land with minimal environmental and social risks, or if the primary purpose of the project is bioenergy or food and beverage production, where the CO2 stream from the process is a waste product that would otherwise be discarded.
- For residual biomass, buyers should evaluate whether it already generates economic value. If not, it may be suitable for CDR, though careful assessment of potential direct environmental and social impacts is still necessary. If it is being valorized, in addition to evaluating direct impacts, a detailed assessment of market leakage should be conducted. This is often more complex and introduces greater uncertainty in the life cycle analysis (LCA) and broader environmental effects.
Through rigorous assessments and third-party evaluations, buyers can ensure that the CDR they purchase from biomass pathways is sourced responsibly and delivers real climate benefits.