Biomass as Energy -- Avoiding Risks and Promoting Sustainability
World-wide, the biomass fuel market isgrowing. Governments are setting policies to achieve GHG emissions
reductions, to decrease dependence on coal and crude oil, and to
secure “renewable” supply for vastly growing energy demands.
Biomass will be an important component of this necessary renewable
supply.
class=”MsoNormal”>For example, the European Union Renewable
Energy Directive (RED) sets binding targets for all Member States
such that the EU will reach a twenty percent share of renewable
energy by 2020.
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class=”MsoNormal”>The UK government has set targets stating
that twelve percent of all heat will be generated from a renewable
source by 2020; and in China, where nearly fifty percent of 250
million rural households rely on burning firewood and various
agricultural wastes to heat homes and cook meals, the demand for
energy amongst urban and rural industries and households continues
to grow. Biomass is set to increasingly contribute to meeting
energy targets and needs around the world.
Because of this potential growth,
responsible biomass supply chain managers and purchasers should
begin factoring in the vast environmental and social complexities
of global biomass supply chains into their purchasing decisions.
Listed to the right are those environmental and social issues (each
of which has unique risks and opportunities) that may be
encountered in the complex decision making process.
Responsible supply chain managers will
need to evaluate risk associated with biomass and social and
environmental issues. They will want to:
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1) quickly come up to speed oncountry-specific sustainability issues impacted by
biomass;
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class=”MsoNormal”>2) develop a biomass specific
sustainability purchasing policy and standards to mitigate against
social and environmental risks;
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class=”MsoNormal”>3) develop supplier screens to ensure they
do business with suppliers that share their values; and
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class=”MsoNormal”>4) establish mechanisms for ongoing
monitoring and verification of on-the-ground realities and
‘game-changing’ global sustainability initiatives.
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class=”MsoNormal”>To take leadership one step further,
responsible supply chain managers will want to work with industry
associations, industry peers and others to build relationships and
combine efforts to drive improved social and environmental
responsibility in the biomass supply chain. To learn more about the nature of the
environmental and social risks and opportunities, as well as key
considerations for responsible supply chain manager,
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