How much bioenergy can Europe produce without harming the environment?

The purpose of this report is to assess how much biomass could technically be available for energy production without increasing pressures on the environment. The agriculture, forestry and waste sectors are considered and it is suggested that significant amounts of biomass can technically be available to support ambitious renewable energy targets, even if strict environmental constraints are applied. 190 million tonnes of oil equivalent are considered possible in 2010, rising to 295 million tonnes by 2030. This represents around 15-16% of projected primary energy requirements of the 25 EU-member countries in 2030. The main factors driving the increase in bioenergy potential are productivity increases and the assumed liberalisation of the agricultural sector, which results in additional area available for dedicated bioenergy farming. It is considered that environmental guidelines will need to become an integral part of planning processes at local, national and European level to achieve environmental compatibility. In the short term the largest potential for bioenergy comes form the waste sector, with greater long-term potential from bioenergy crops. There may also be co-benefits between biomass production and nature conservation.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/929167849X
• Authors:
  • WIESENTHAL, T
  • MOURELATOU, A
  • PETERSEN, J -
• Publication Date: 2006

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 67p
• Serial:
  • EEA REPORT 7/2006
  • Publisher: European Environment Agency
  • ISSN: 1725-9177

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternate fuels; Energy; Environmental protection; Forecasting; Planning; Recycling; Sustainable development; Waste products (Cargo)
• Geographic Terms: Europe
• ITRD Terms: 4563: By product; 213: Energy; 2444: Environment protection; 8034: Europe; 132: Forecast; 2448: Nature protection; 143: Planning; 4573: Recycling (mater); 2417: Renewable energy; 2427: Sustainability
• Subject Areas: Energy; Environment; Planning and Forecasting; I10: Economics and Administration; I15: Environment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01034136
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• ISBN: 92-9167-849-X
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Oct 6 2006 2:21PM