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The world of biomass is meeting in Stockholm
On the 12th of June 2017, delegates from scientific research, industry and policy-makers from 66 countries gathered in Stockholm for the 25th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition. This year the event features more than 800 Presentations, from 3,800 authors and co-authors, two parallel events and five workshops.
As every year the conference programme touches on all different subjects of the biomass sector along the week. The conference provides a science-to-science and science-to-industry platform for knowledge exchange to discuss the latest scientific findings, industrial progress and policy landscape through keynote and plenary presentations and specialised thematic sessions.
The conference opening session discussed “The Indispensable Role of Biomass” as part of the long-term goal agreed in Paris for limiting the increase of average global temperature and optimizing the role of bioenergy in the wider bio-economy.
The conference is co-chaired by Lena Ek (Sweden), President of Södra Skogsägarna, and Henrik Ehrnrooth (Finland), Chairman of the Boards of Pöyry, thereby bringing together the strong and common interests of their two countries in the political support and business opportunities for bioeconomy.
Lena Ek, Conference General Chair, Södra Skogsägarna, President:
From the
climate point of view forests could be an important asset
depending on how we managed them. If the world's production
forests were well managed their effect on the yearly
CO2-balance would be nearly the same as the net increase of
CO2 into the atmosphere.
Henrik Ehrnrooth, Conference General Co-Chair, Chairman of the Boards of Pöyry PLC and Chairman of the Climate Leadership Council:
New paradigms are needed: Twenty
percent of GHG emissions comes from deforestation, so the new
thing is reforestation. Reforestation cannot be done with
monocultures, we need to find new ways to emulate natural
forest with sophisticated agroforestry.
Remigijus Lapinskas, World Bioenergy Association, President:
Business as usual does not work
anymore as development of renewables should be faster, in
order to fulfill the Paris Agreement. Now is the time to show
strong leadership in bioenergy development.
Anneli Waldén, Stockholm Transport Administration:
The rail traffic and the bus fleet
within the public transport in Stockholm is running on energy
from renewable fuels and have reduced the CO2 emissions by
more than 80% since 2009.
Mika Aho, ST1 Nordic Oy, Director, presented the company’s Cellulonix biorefinery:
Sawdust and other wood residues offer
high potential as feedstock for advanced ethanol and
biomaterial production in the Nordic countries. The
10-million-litre Cellunolix® plant under commissioning in
Kajaani in Finland is an important demonstration project to
capture that potential. Enabling regulation for 2030 is needed
to capture the full potential of forestry residues in
contributing towards efficient decarbonization of the road
transport.
Marko Janhunen, UPM Biorefining, Vice President, Stakeholder Relations:
In recent years UPM has become a key
producer of wood-based advanced biofuels and products for the
biochemical industry. We believe there is tremendous
innovation potential in advanced biofuels and biomass, as
illustrated by the extremely high quality of submissions to
the EUBCE.
Oskar Meijerink, SkyNRG, Business Development:
The aviation industry
has recognized the need for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF)
as the industry has no alternative to liquid energy carriers
in the decades to come. For SkyNRG collaboration between
governments, market players and technology providers is key to
further develop this market.
Anders WiJkmann, Chair Swedish Parliamentary Committee on the Environmental Goals, Governing Board Climate-KIC Chair, Think Tank Global Utmaning Member Board and former EU Parliament:
Sweden is to have net zero emissions
by no later than 2045 of which emission reductions will
account for at least 85%. New bio-based products from forestry,
agriculture or aquaculture can replace fossil based
products.
Piotr Szymanski, European Commission Joint Research Centre, Director of Energy, Transport and Climate:
The emphasis must be on
how best biomass can be used and not whether it can be used.
We need to prioritize the most effective bioenergy pathways
that deliver robust GHG reductions.
Jakop Dalunde, Member of the European Parliament, ITRE Committee:
We need a political leadership that
creates a robust framework with clear market rules where
renewables of all kinds can flourish. In order to fulfil the
Paris agreement we need all the tools in the toolbox for the
green transition, therefore biomass will be essential.
Giulio Volpi, European Commission, DG Energy:
Bioenergy plays an important role for
the achievement of the EU energy and climate targets for 2020
and 2030. Bioenergy used in the EU needs to be sustainable,
i.e. it delivers optimal greenhouse gas (GHG) savings, it is
produced in a way that does not cause deforestation or
degradation of habitats or loss of biodiversity, and it is
used efficiently for heat and power production. This is why
the European Commission has proposed to strengthen the EU
bioenergy sustainability criteria, in the context of the
revised EU Renewable Energy Directive.
Thomas Lundmark, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Forest Ecology and Management Dpt.:
There is much to
be gained by more active forest management. Forest growth
can be increased, increased forest growth means climate benefit,
opportunities for increased sustainable yields, and support development of
the bio-economy.
Maria Michela Morese, Executive Secretary of the Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP), Climate and Environment Division:
Modern bioenergy has a great potential to contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as to food and energy security, in the context of sustainable development. Sustainability is key to ensure that bioenergy reaches this potential. In this context, the Sustainability Indicators agreed by the over 75 members of GBEP – among governments and international organizations – represent an invaluable tool to guide the sustainability assessment of bioenergy production and use at the national level, with a view to inform decision making and facilitate the sustainable development of bioenergy.
Giles Dickson, WindEurope, CEO:
Europe needs more ambition on renewables. A target of at least 35% renewables in our energy mix by 2030 is required to be a world leader. What we need to see now is increased decarbonisation of heating and cooling systems with biomass, hydrogen and electrification, as this sector represents 46% of the EU’s total energy consumption but only currently has an 18% renewables share.
Tomas Kåberger: Executive Board Chairman, Renewable Energy Institute, Energy and Environment:
It
is a remarkable pleasure to see how sophisticated
bio-refineries can evolve producing fuels, heat, feed or food
as well as materials. The creativity and flexibility required
is easily hindered when policymakers become prescriptive.
Forestry and agriculture need environmental regulation, but
how to refine biomass into different products is a dynamic and
complex issue that cannot be fixed by political
decisions.
Paolo Frankl, International Energy Agency, Head of the Renewable Energy Division:
Bioenergy is to provide almost one
fifth of cumulative carbon savings. Sustainability for
bioenergy is a total must, however, general statements and
oversimplification are unhelpful. Bioenergy now needs a new
impetus based on up to date evidence and experience.
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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