This study explores the uncertainty in the production and consumption data of solid biomass for energy by comparing sources from the Joint Research Centre wood resource balances and uses from the Eurostat energy balances. It uses the Visegrad Four (V4) countries for illustration as their energy and climate policies promise ambitious further deployment of this energy source.

This study’s key concern is whether the revealed level of data uncertainty can compromise the sustainability of biomass energy and its integrity with climate objectives. Indeed, this study finds worrying evidence for the V4 countries. Specifically, the gap between the data on sources and uses of solid biomass energy was between 33% to 56% for the reported years. The unsustainability margin may be an alarming 52% for the V4 countries combined. The CO2 balance of negative emissions from the wood-based removals and positive emissions from biomass combustion shifted from negative to positive in 2010, and has increased thereafter to as much as 54–56 million metric tonnes of net emissions in the V4 countries combined by the early 20s. CO2 emissions from biomass energy increased from 1.8% to 14.2% of the total greenhouse gas emissions of the V4 group.The reviewed policy plans of the V4 forecast a further loss of up to 40% of carbon sequestration by wood resources and a continued increase in biomass energy production by 2030.

To reduce data uncertainty, the designated authorities should rethink the monitoring, reporting, and verification rules for solid biomass sources and uses. The sustainability and climate neutrality of biomass energy should be reassessed, and government policies should be reconsidered to protect the sustainable use capacity of forests.

The article is available here.