4. Summary and conclusions; assuming sustained forest
management
Biomass harvested under sustained forest management is CO2
neutral (or better). Prolonged rotation periods in order to storemore carbon would not lead to long term reduction of the atmospheric
CO2, as the total capacity of the forest to take up CO2
decreases.
In comparison with combustion of coal, biomass may also be
regarded as climate neutral, provided that the comparison includes
also additional emissions from mining/harvesting, transport,
leakage, etc., and state-of-the-art production and combustion
technology for forest biomass.
In most countries where sustained forest management is being
applied, the biomass production exceeds the present harvesting
and utilization. In particular, this is true for logging residues and
biomass from low quality and small sized trees.
Efficient measures (related to sustained forestry) to reduce the
CO2 net emissions are:
Increase market demand for biomass in the energy sector
Increase market demand for wood products and fiber
Increase intensity of forest management