As demand for biomass grows across sectors, concerns are mounting about its climate and environmental impacts. Without proper governance, limited sustainable biomass supplies risk being allocated by market forces rather than climate priorities.

This briefing examines the challenges of different biomass sources and outlines the need for a biomass hierarchy that prioritises waste-derived biomass towards hard to decarbonise sectors like construction, chemicals and steel, while phasing out forest biomass for power generation.

Authors
Faustine Wheeler and Liam Hardy

For more information, contact
Liam Hardy, head of research