UK forestry, bioenergy and sustainability

Ian TubbyForest Services

Introduction

• Overview of UK forestry

• Why Forestry Commission is interested in

bioenergy markets

• Carbon and sustainability

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UK Forestry

• 12% woodland cover in the UK, EU average 37%• Annual harvest: around 10 million tonnes, nearly

all softwood• All UK woodlands have been managed for the

production of fuel and fibre in the past• The biodiversity valued in woods today is a

product of previous management patterns• All forestry operations, regardless of end use,

must comply with the UK Forestry Standard, based on internationally agreed principles

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Long term price trends

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A declining market 1985 - 2009

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Unharvested resource

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Conifer Broadleaf Total

Ann

ual i

ncre

men

t (M

illio

n cu

bic

met

res)

UnutilisedAnnual harvest

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Woodfuel Implementation

•Bringing woodland back into management

•Improving habitats and timber quality

•Creating new markets for woodfuel

•Strengthening supply chains

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Typical woodfuel supplier

The green economy

• Value of boiler installations £5billion by 2020?• Annual Value of woodfuel market £0.6billion?• 6000 jobs in forestry and agriculture• Several thousand boilers scattered across the

UK would match distribution of our woodlands• Energy security concerns may lead to

woodland creation. Could result in further carbon benefits via sequestration displacement

12/07/2012 NEt programme planning9

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Carbon impacts

• Don’t abandon managed forests –more carbon saved by producing fuel and wood products

• Exercise caution when restoring management in neglected woodland

• Current industry practice provides close to ideal carbon impacts

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Principles of UK Forestry Standard

• UKFS is Government’s approach to sustainable forest management, enforced by FC field staff

• maintenance and appropriate enhancement of forest resources and their contribution to global carbon cycles;

• maintenance, conservation and appropriate enhancement of biological diversity in forest ecosystems;

• maintenance and appropriate enhancement of protective functions in forest management (notably soil and water);

• maintenance of other socio-economic functions and conditions.

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Conclusions

• Bioenergy markets can drive an increase in woodland management, improve biodiversity and reduce carbon emissions

• Benefits can only be delivered if supply chains are based sustainable forest management

• ‘Sustainability’ means more than just carbon and includes water and air quality, soil fertility, social and economic factors

For more information on biomass energy please see:

www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk

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