Develop a sustainable biomass strategy
Develop the data collection and a strategy for the sustainable use of biomass in materials and energy production.
Biomass is supposed to replace less sustainable materials in construction, plastics in almost every application and fossil fuels in electricity generation. While we need to use more timber in construction, substituting concrete and steel, we need a strategy for sustainable biomass to ensure that increased demands for biomass do not result in habitat destruction and biodiversity loss, and decisions are based on sound carbon accounting.
On use of biomass in energy production, the Scottish Government recently consulted on a draft bioenergy policy statement. Encouragingly, the first principle it states is that “use of biomass must comply with stringent sustainability criteria (including land criteria and greenhouse gas emissions reduction criteria) … Biomass use should also be independently monitored and verified to ensure best practice and the highest standards are upheld.”
Biomass is a key, often overlooked, part of the circular economy – and the Scottish Government should commit to setting sustainable biomass targets when data becomes available.
For further information:
- Policy Paper for Scotland Circular Economy Bill, Circular Communities Scotland, May 2022, https://www.circularcommunities.scot/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Scotlands-Circular-Economy-Bill-Policy-Paper.pdf
- Call for a Strong Circular Economy Bill for Scotland, Scottish Environment LINK, 2022 https://www.scotlink.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/CE-Bill-call-for-April-2022-FINAL-1.pdf