Fostering the sustainable usage of renewable energy sources in Central Europe - putting biomass into action

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Recently, the EU has set high aiming targets for renewable energy in its proposal on a directive for the promotion of energy from renewable energy sources (RES). Biomass is to play an important role in living up to the objectives set out by the Commission. At the same time member states are called to draw up national Biomass Action Plans. Contrary to other RES, supply of biomass is limited by the land available for its production. With rising pressure to produce biomass with low input and maximum yields and the choice to produce either for food or non-food usage, “competition of use” and “environmental sustainability” becomes a core issue of any national, regional or European bioenergy strategy. This is especially true for Central Europe, where the biomass potential is estimated to be particularly large. Furthermore increasing demand for biomass bears the risk of unsustainable intensified agricultural production and competition of use. 4BIOMASS will assess the production of biomass and bioenergy according to its sustainability. Resource availability, efficiency and trade will be assessed to mitigate competition of use issues. Only safe technologies and systems will be promoted. The goal of 4BIOMASS is to facilitate a complementary and integrated development in the region to generate synergies in the efficient exploitation of biomass in Central Europe. An integrated approach is needed, including cross-sectoral interests from producers, trade, energy suppliers, policy makers, consumers, NGOs and others. These stakeholders are acting on all vertical levels, thus for successful action, local, regional, national, transnational and supranational levels have to be involved.

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