Title:
The Timing of Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Bioenergy Systems: Using Financial Type Indicators and Terminology to Discuss Emission Profiles from Bioenergy
Author(s):
Bird, N., Cowie, A., Strømman, A.H., Frieden, D.
Document(s):
Paper
Abstract:
Bioenergy systems in the long-term reduce greenhouse gas emissions when compared to fossil energy systems. This is one of the reasons that there is such interest currently in bioenergy. However, as has been pointed out by many authors, in the short-term the introduction of a bioenergy system can cause more emissions that its comparable fossil energy system and that these emissions are recovered over time by the bioenergy system. The combined profiles typically display an initial period with net positive emissions followed by period of net negative emissions. These profiles share the same characteristics as a typical investment cases. First there are initial costs associated with investments, which are followed by income and profit. In fact, authors have used the term “carbon pay-back time” to describe this feature. In this short paper, the authors raise the question if adaption of terms and methods from financial theory may be of use to understanding the dynamic GHG characteristics of bioenergy systems. A short introduction to key financial theory concepts is provided. The potential adaption of the theory to bioenergy GHG metrics is explored and discussed.
Keywords:
agriculture, decision making, emissions, greenhouse gases (GHG), biofuels
Topic:
Biomass Policies, Markets and Sustainability
Subtopic:
Sustainability assessment and criteria
Event:
19th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
VP5.2.6
Pages:
2572 - 2575
ISBN-13:
978-88-89407-55-4
ISBN-10:
88-89407-55-7
Paper DOI:
10.5071/19thEUBCE2011-VP5.2.6
Price:
FREE
