RSPB calls for tree protection from biomass burning
RSPB Scotland is calling on the Scottish Government to “seize the opportunity to ensure that electricity from biomass is truly low carbon” and does not result in the burning of protected tree species.
“This may be the Government’s last opportunity to fix fundamental flaws with biomass sustainability standards before it hands control of subsidies back to Westminster” said conservation policy officer Alexa Morrison.
Scottish powers to set the standards are to cease, in favour of a Westminster controlled system of incentivising renewables. ‘Contracts for Difference’, will gradually replace the current regime between now and 2017.
“Biomass subsidies, and their associated sustainability standards, are currently devolved, meaning the Scottish Government needs to ensure two important things: first, that bio-energy delivers genuine emissions reductions and second, that its use does not harm biodiversity.
“The former is essential, as studies have shown that some biomass can be as, or even more polluting than fossil fuels.
“It is also critical that forests are not put under pressure by growing biomass markets, resulting in over-exploitation. There is already evidence that natural forests in the US are being clear-felled for UK bio-energy.
“There may be opportunities to put Scottish woodlands into productive, wildlife-friendly management for biomass, but this will not happen automatically.
“These issues are important in Scotland. Consented plans for large biomass power stations in Grangemouth and Rosyth are currently on hold, but if they go ahead, will lead to substantial imports of wood, quite possibly from those wildlife-rich forests in North America.
“So far in Scotland we have simply mirrored UK Government standards, which fall far short of delivering these safeguards.”
Recent changes required reporting of whether biomass was “likely to be” from protected or threatened tree species, said the RSPB officer, “but did not rule out subsidies for burning them. They also assume that burning biomass is ‘carbon neutral’; assuming any tree burnt will be replanted to re-absorb the carbon.
“The mistake here is, of course, that not all forests are sustainably managed. This can be avoided if ‘lifecycle carbon assessments’ are carried out, but this is currently voluntary. “
It was possible for bio-energy to be part of the green energy revolution in Scotland in harmony with nature, she felt.
“But only if we tread a careful path, focusing on local, sustainable biomass markets. Unfortunately, the UK standards which the Scottish Government proposes to blindly adopt, still fall far short of ensuring biomass is truly low carbon, and that biodiversity is protected.
“The Scottish Government has a unique opportunity to raise the bar here, by ruling out any subsidies for the burning of protected or threatened species, and by requiring generators to conduct lifecycle carbon assessments.”
