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Sustainable bioenergy at the heart of Net Zero

The world must act urgently to keep alive the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C.

Bioenergy will play an indispensable role by replacing fossil fuels with reliable, low-carbon, renewable energy and by delivering negative emissions through bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS).

Quote

“Most mitigation pathways [for avoiding catastrophic climate change] include substantial deployment of bioenergy technologies.”

UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

“Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) plays a critical role in the Net Zero Emissions Scenario.”

International Energy Agency (IEA)

“Sustainable bioenergy is essential for reaching Net Zero.”

UK Climate Change Committee (CCC)

“Bioenergy use is substantial in 1.5°C pathways with or without BECCS due to its multiple roles in decarbonizing energy use.”

UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

At the heart of
global Net Zero

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global Net Zero will require a threefold increase in energy supply from sustainable bioenergy sources. The Glasgow Declaration on Sustainable Bioenergy sets out what an expanded bioenergy sector could look like in 2030 and 2050, based on the IEA’s Net Zero Emissions scenario.

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Committed to
global sustainability

As signatories to the Glasgow Declaration on Sustainable Bioenergy, we’ve made sustainability our first priority. It’s our responsibility to set the highest standards in our industry. The Declaration is our public commitment to ensuring this, and sets out what we mean by ‘Sustainable Bioenergy’.

However, we are only one part of a much larger sector. We invite all participants in the wider bioenergy sector, including industry, civil society, academia, and governments, to join us in delivering the potential of sustainable bioenergy in support of global Net Zero.

Stepping up to
a global challenge

As our industry expands, we will maintain our full commitment to sustainability and promote adoption of our principles of sustainability, wherever biomass is sourced. We will use the best available science to continually develop and improve practices, setting the highest standards for our industry. However, we are only one element of a much larger sector.

3.5 million jobs

3.5 million jobs

In 2019, bioenergy technologies employed 3.58 million people globally
1 billion tonnes

1 billion tonnes

By 2050, bioenergy could cut global emissions by 1 Gt of CO2 per year - more than the whole aviation industry’s emissions
14% of total energy

14% of total energy

Bioenergy is the largest source of renewable energy in the world, providing 14% of primary energy
x 3 growth

x 3 growth

The IEA says sustainable bioenergy will need to grow threefold by 2050 to enable global Net Zero

Our Declaration

The Glasgow Declaration on Sustainable Bioenergy sets out a vision for the sustainable growth of the industry in support of global Net Zero.

DOWNLOAD THE DECLARATION