This Short Communication Paper approaches the CO2 emissions from forest biomass produced in sustainable
managed forests from aspects related to photosynthesis and variations in vitality and capability
of CO2 uptake, depending on i.a. different rotation periods and management regimes. These aspects are
ignored or diminished in most other analyses on the subject as those analyses typically are based on
simplified rigidly structured models. This Short Communication Paper suggests application of more
relevant methodologies closer to actual real conditions. Two CO2 issues are covered; the CO2 balance
between growth and harvesting of biomass in sustainably managed forests, and combustion of woody
biomass in comparison with fossil fuels with regard to CO2 emissions. The analysis of the first issue leads
to the conclusion that biomass harvested from sustainably managed forests should be regarded as
“carbon neutral” as the vitality and CO2 absorption is sustained and kept on the same (or better) level.
Moreover, to transform old pristine forests to young vigorous forests would be an effective (long term)
means of reducing atmospheric CO2.
Regarding the second issue, we notice that some other authors of papers on bioenergy claim that
biomass would not be “climate neutral” when used for energy as, for generation of a given energy
amount, more fixed carbon is released from biomass than from fossil fuels. In our opinion, authors of
these papers apply obsolete, too general or sometimes illogical default values. This Short Communication
Paper suggests that emissions from combustion of forest biomass should be compared with emissions
from coal as it is the most common and relevant fuel to replace. Also additional emissions from mining/
harvesting, transport, leakage, etc. should be included both for biomass and for reference fuels like coal,
gas, and oil. The comparison should also be based on state-of-the-art technology, which for biomass
would mean i.a. flue-gas condensing and efficient fuel treatment. Under these conditions, typical
biomass applications for energy would be both carbon neutral and climate neutral.