Environmental Benefits of Biomass

The environmental advantages of biomass continue to be debated in comparison to other renewable energy sources. However, biomass offers several key benefits over fossil fuels, particularly in terms of reducing carbon emissions. Below are the main environmental benefits of biomass:

Biomass: A Renewable Energy Source

One of the primary advantages of biomass energy is its renewability. Unlike fossil fuels, biomass is a sustainable energy source that cannot be depleted. Derived primarily from plants, biomass will continue to be available as long as plant life thrives on Earth, making it an enduring source of renewable energy.

Biomass Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Biomass contributes to mitigating climate change by lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that are known to exacerbate global warming. When compared to fossil fuels, biomass generates far fewer emissions. The key difference is that the carbon dioxide (CO2) absorbed by plants during their growth is released back into the atmosphere when the biomass is burned for energy production. In contrast, CO2 produced from fossil fuels remains in the atmosphere, contributing to the greenhouse effect.

A Cleaner Environment

Biomass energy plays an important role in cleaning up the environment. As the global population grows, so does the amount of waste that needs to be managed. Much of this waste ends up contaminating water resources, harming ecosystems, and negatively impacting human health. Biomass offers a solution by turning waste into valuable energy, biofertilizers, and other products, thus reducing pollution and creating a cleaner environment.

Abundant and Accessible

Biomass is a widely available energy source. It is derived from various sectors, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, aquaculture, algae, and waste. Many energy experts agree that when considering both the economic and environmental characteristics, biomass ranks high among the most efficient and sustainable energy sources.

GHG Emission Balances for Biomass-Fuelled Electricity and Heat Applications

The environmental benefits of biomass depend on the specific technology and application. A study by Elsayed, Matthews, and Mortimer (2003) prepared GHG balances for various biomass technologies used to generate electricity and heat. Some biomass systems result in GHG emissions savings of more than 40% compared to fossil alternatives, while others show more modest reductions of around 4%. The variation in GHG savings highlights that the overall environmental benefit is influenced by the technology used, scale, and other factors. Biomass derived from waste, which would otherwise exist regardless of energy production, is considered neutral in terms of GHG emissions, as its existence is unavoidable and the emissions associated with it are allocated to the products created from its use.