Sources and distribution of forest biomass for energy

Abstract

Forest biomass used for energy or fuels can be sourced directly from land-use systems, indirectly from wood-based industries or recovered from other human activities outside the forest sector. The former, referring to primary biomass from forests, includes organic products or residues derived directly from living or recently dead trees or other forest vegetation. It constituted nearly half of world’s harvested forest biomass in 2021 and holds particularly importance in the Global South, where traditional biomass remains a vital energy source for many people. Besides direct wood fuel, secondary wood residues represent another substantial source of forest bioenergy. These organic residues, such as wood chips, sawdust or black liquor, are generated by the industries processing wood, especially primary forest industries. A large amount of these residues is well-suited for further material use and energy generation. However, wood suitable for energy is not solely generated by forest-based industries. Various other activities use wood products that eventually reach the end of their usable life and are discarded, such as wood waste from construction or demolition, furniture waste or end-of-life pallets and packaging used to transport goods. This chapter presents and characterises the different woody biomass streams that can provide feedstock for energy.