Biomass energy

Charcoal is widely used for cooking and heating in developing countries. The consumption of charcoal has been at high level and the demand may keep growing over the next decades, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The overall objective of the publication is to provide data and information to allow for informed decision-making on the contribution sustainable charcoal production and consumption can make to climate change mitigation.

This paper explores the pros and cons of biomass and the logistics of switching to other fuels in developing countries.

During the past several years, biofuels in rich countries have come to be regarded as an important option for reducing consumption of petroleum, which is a main policy goal as a result of recent high oil prices, energy security concerns, and global climate change. The use and development of alternative sources of energy are increasingly encouraged in western countries, and private and public sources of financial support for biofuels development have increased greatly.

La transformación de los residuos de la actividad forestal y de la biomasa abandonada en los montes en un recurso con posibilidades de aprovechamiento energético supone ejercer una gestión eficiente de los bosques y plantaciones forestales, generando además beneficios medioambientales y económicos. Estudio realizado por un equipo interdisciplinar de expertos, autores también de la publicación anterior del CIEF Beneficios y costes sociales en la conservación de la Red Natura 2000.