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The 25th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition closed its doors today in Stockholm
The global biomass community gathered in Stockholm to conduct business, network and discuss the latest developments and innovations as well as to discover the most innovative bioenergy applications from industry and to hear about the state of play and the policy context that are shaping this sector.
1537 conference delegates from 70 countries attended and, as the hosting country, Sweden ranked first by number of participants, followed by Germany and Italy. More than 850 presentations covering the entire scope of biomass value chains were given as well as 2 parallel events and 5 workshops conducted. As part of the event programme, a tour to Scandinavian Biogas Södertörn Plant was also organised.
David Baxter, Former European Commission, Joint Research Centre: The very strong message we all heard at the beginning of the conference was that replacement of fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) in the shortest possible time is absolutely essential. There is no time to lose eliminating fossil carbon emissions from the activities of human society. It is clear that all available alternatives to fossil fuels are needed and that biomass is an essential component in the transition to a 100% renewable society. Hence the main theme of the conference, “The indispensable role of biomass”. While maintaining adherence to the principles of environmental sustainability it is therefore obvious that it is a question of how biomass can be utilised for bioenergy, biofuels, biochemicals and the wider bioeconomy and not whether biomass should be used at all. Strategies for integrated use of biomass within the widest scope of land use are essential. Appropriate technologies are already being exploited as we heard in EUBCE 2017 and research will continue to EUBCE 2018 and beyond.
Henrik Hernrooth, Chairman of the Boards of Pöyry PLC and Chairman of the Climate Leadership Council, Conference General Co-Chair: I feel that we need to gradually move from sustainability debate into sustainable action. In order to define what it is sustainable we need better measurements of biomass. Biomass is visible from the satellite and it is an interesting carbon stock that we can now measure with proper tools. Much of the debate about future is about threats. We need to move this debate into a positive vision.
Heinz A.
Ossenbrink, Former European Commission, Joint Research Centre,
described his perspective on integrating renewable energies
along eight Vs (vision, variety, versatility, vectors,
value, vulnerability, visibility, victory) concluding that renewable energy could provide 100% of Europe’s energy by 2042.
Gustav Melin, Managing Director, Svebio:
In the last ten years, we got three
times more carbon assimilated in biomass than what is needed
for one year global energy supply. So, I would like to give
two messages to all scientists: stop talking about bioenergy
as a limited resource. All facts show that there is enough
biomass for all energy needs. Stop talking about non-food
biomass: it is an irrelevant argument, there are always other
reasons behind starvation than our capacity to grow food .
Nicolae
Scarlat, Technical Programme Chairman, European Commission,
Joint Research Centre, Directorate for Energy, Transport and
Climate, summarised the results of the conference into four
take-home messages: we need long term vision, policy
consistency and stability; we need transformation of the
economy, not a marginal change; we need technology specific
policies instead of technology neutrality; we need phase-out
fossil fuels and keep fossil carbon in the ground .
The 26th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition will take place in Denmark on 14-18 May 2018 and will include a technical tour.
EUBCE Background
EUBCE is the most important international conference for the biomass sector, combined with a technology exhibition. For more than 30 years, it has been serving as the annual meeting point for biomass experts from research, development and the industry. With presentations addressing the latest technologies, the policy framework, and the medium and long-term strategies and potentials, EUBCE is the interface between science, industry and policy makers.
The quality of the EUBCE programme is excellent, ensured by the Scientific and Industry Committee comprising 140 international biomass experts. At 2017 EUBCE more than 3,856 authors and co-authors from 80 countries around the world were involved in preparing abstracts for contributions. More than 800 keynote, plenary, oral and visual presentations will be held during EUBCE.
The EUBCE Conference programme is coordinated by the European Commission Joint Research Centre.
The event is supported by European and international organizations such as the European Commission, UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Natural Sciences Sector, WCRE - the World Council for Renewable Energy, EUBIA - the European Biomass Industry Association, CEI - The Central European Initiative, FNR - Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe, GBEP - Global Bioenergy Partnership, and other organisations.
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