Workplan
Task 43 – 2025-2027 Workplan
- Sustainable global biomass assessment: Support the development of practical estimates of diverse biomass supplies in nature-positive circular economies.
- Technical innovations to optimize biomass collection: Document the effects of different technical approaches & nature-positive circular economy frameworks on effective biomass supply mobilisation & availability.
- Socio-economic implications of circular bio-economies: Identify recommended good practices for maintaining & sharing information on nature-positive biomass supplies that increase trust in the technical, ecological, social, & economic analysis of nature-positive biomass production & use.
The Task will produce and provide timely and policy-relevant information to targeted audiences, arrange Task-specific events, contribute to important workshops and conferences, and engage in processes that are identified as important in shaping the conditions for biomass supply chain and logistics systems. Scientific publications, policy-relevant reviews, case studies and science and technology briefs on a variety of topics will be published and presented throughout the triennium.
The Task Leader and WP Leaders together with the NTLs constitute the Steering Committee (SC) that approves plans and budgets associated with task activities. The SC builds international and national capacities essential to have credibility in the various biomass supply chain and logistics systems sectors. Task 43 collaborates with other Tasks in intertask projects to integrate biomass supply chain and logistics with energy conversion and end-use, ensuring that analytical and conceptual linkages with markets are strong.
The mobilization of sustainable biomass feedstocks for bioenergy is crucial for transitioning to a nature-positive, circular, net-zero economy. Decision makers need to confident in how much sustainable biomass can be available, where, & at what cost. The proposed Task work program aims to address these issues through research on biomass resources at a global scope in partnership with other international organizations & IEA TCP Tasks. This work program describes a standardized approach to assessing & enhancing the availability of biomass from forestry & agriculture residues, as well as dedicated woody biomass crops, urban biomass, wastes & residues as well as exploring techno-economic & socio-economic barriers & best practices.
Work programme
The Task will be delivered through three work packages, each making a contribution to three key focus areas though identification and review of best practices, and are reviewed and promoted through key collaborative approaches within and beyond the Task team. The three work packages are:
WP1 - Best Practices in Robust, Reliable, Practical, & Transparent Estimates of Sustainable Global Biomass Availability
Objective: To develop & standardize methodologies for accurate & transparent estimates of global sustainable biomass availability, incorporating a range of biomass sources including agricultural residues, forestry residues, organic waste resources & dedicated woody biomass crops. Key Tasks:
- Review Existing Reports: Collect, review, & assess reported biomass data from CEM Biofuture & Task 43 members & other international organizations reporting biomass availability. Key variables include technical recovery volumes, market interactions, & sustainability criteria. Utilize geospatial analysis to understand regional & national supply potentials. Develop a master’s (M.S., or M.Sc.) student program to develop extrapolation & validation of biomass estimates through remote sensing & higher-level (regional or global) reported data.
- Develop Standardized Assessment Methodologies: Establish consistent methodologies for biomass estimation, ensuring transparency & comparability across regions & countries using different terminology, assumptions, reporting units, & assessment scopes. Report these methodologies in a library of global resources with energy contents, alternative names, & standardized characteristics.
- Identify Methodology Gaps: Pinpoint knowledge gaps in methodological approaches & lead workshops with cooperating agencies to develop methods to address these gaps with existing best practices from previous data collection exercises. Validate methodologies through case studies in partner countries.
- Recommendations for Best Practices: Develop & propose best practices for biomass assessment & reporting, engaging stakeholders to align with regulatory, economic, & social expectations.
- Public Data Portal: Handover of public data portal to provide access to the collected reports, & harmonized resource estimates.
Work Package 1 Leader:
Dr. Ryan Jacobson (USA)
WP2 - Addressing Technical & Techno-Economic Challenges to Biomass Supply in Nature-Positive Circular Economies
Objective: To address & overcome technical & economic challenges related to the efficient recovery, handling, & processing of agriculture & forestry biomass residues, as well as dedicated woody biomass crops & urban biomass. Key Tasks:
- Optimize Recovery & Handling: Document best practices for storage, integration, & pre-treatment of biomass to maximize efficiency & extend availability. Improve sorting processes to enhance residue recovery & reduce contamination.
- Technical Solutions & Innovations: Evaluate & recommend technologies for improved biomass recovery & processing, focusing on cost-effectiveness & integration of nature-positive strategies throughout the supply chain. Ranking best matches by biomass properties & quantities vs. technology & useful energy.
Work Package 2 Leader:
Dan Bergström
Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Dep. Forest Biomaterials and Technology
Skogsmarksgränd
901 83 Umeå
Phone: +46 907868214
Email: dan.bergstrom@slu.se
WP3 - Assessing Social & Socio-Economic Implications of Biomass Supply in Nature-Positive Circular Economies
Objective: To evaluate the social & socio-economic impacts of nature-positive biomass supply in circular economies on local & regional value chains & understand its role in economic development & social acceptance. Key Tasks:
- Socio-Economic Impact Assessment: Analyze the effects of biomass supply on local & regional economic development, job creation, & community benefits. Assess social acceptance & perceptions of bioenergy projects & nature-positive land management. Biomass potential assessments indicate agricultural systems as more potent than forests to supply biomass for bioenergy. Yet, currently woody biomass dominates in bioenergy supply in the energy balances which makes pressure on the ecosystems.
- Case Study Analysis: Conduct regional case studies to understand socio-economic effects & provide policy recommendations to address challenges associated with biomass supply in circular economies.
Work Package 2 Leader:
Dr. Heather Macdonald (Canada)