Bioenergy - draft policy statement: consultation

Executive Summary

Bioenergy is a diverse sector with applications which can displace fossil fuels across heat, power, industry and transport. This flexibility has led to a steady increase in the use of bioenergy across the globe, with many forecasts assuming even greater demands in the coming years. The emergence of Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) is also expected to play a valuable role in our pathway to net zero.

These demands require a sustainable supply chain of biogenic materials. At any one time there is a finite amount of sustainable bioresource available and we should ensure that any feedstock has no wider residual value within society before being utilised for energy.

We want to see the resources which are available to the bioenergy sector being used where they can best support Scotland’s journey towards net zero. This means that use of bioresources need to be prioritised to where they can be most effective in reducing emissions and where there is greatest need for alternatives to fossil fuels. In the longer term, the finite bioresources which are available should be prioritised towards applications with carbon capture, wherever that becomes feasible. We are seeking views on how and when that transition could happen.

We are also seeking views on the potential to scale up domestic biomass production. Scaling up our domestic biomass supply chain will provide security of supply, greater supply chain transparency and accuracy of lifecycle emissions calculations, as well as ensuring we do not have an overreliance on imported biomass.

We need to ensure stringent controls are in place to mitigate or avoid risks to biodiversity and the natural environment. We also value the importance of food production, both to our food security and to our economy. Careful consideration is required to ensure that our land can provide the vital platform to help us realise our many ambitions.

We want to capitalise on the opportunity that developing a strong domestic supply chain can bring, including for a just transition from some more traditional land uses. The increase in our domestic production will likely have to be met by planting of perennial energy crops. Decisions on opportunities to scale up biomass production should align with and support Scotland’s goals for protecting and restoring nature and will need to take into consideration the many other demands of our land.