WORKSHOP REPORT: ADDRESSING INVESTMENT BARRIERS BY IMPROVING DOCUMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE BIOMASS RESOURCES

On May 8, 2025, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), in collaboration with IEA Bioenergy Task 43 and the Biofuture Platform, convened an international workshop in Vancouver, Canada to improve the Global Biomass Resource Assessment. This effort addresses investment barriers in the global bioeconomy by improving the transparency, consistency, and usability of biomass supply data.

The workshop gathered 38 participants from 11 countries, representing government agencies, academia, and industry. Participants reviewed the status of the Global Biomass Resource Assessment dataset1, tested the data-sharing platform, and provided direct input on priorities for improvement.

Three top priorities emerged from the workshop:

1. Clarify biomass origin classification — Develop clear, objective criteria to distinguish agricultural from forestry biomass sources, particularly for mixed-use systems such as short- rotation woody crops.
2. Improve supply categorization — Enable standardized classification of biomass by accessibility and use, such as currently used, unused but accessible in the near term, and long-term projected supply potential.
3. Fill critical geographic data gaps — Identify and address the lack of collected data in countries with high biomass potential, using remote sensing and modeling where appropriate.

Additional recommendations included harmonizing terminology, enhancing reporting standards, and increasing outreach to improve visibility and participation. Participants emphasized the importance of:

• A standard reporting template to improve interoperability with the Global Biomass Resource Assessment with a glossary to support consistent and transparent data classification;
• Collaboration with international partners such as FAO and IEA to align data collection practices;
• Establishing a long-term institutional host to manage and maintain the dataset.

Participants widely agreed that the Global Biomass Resource Assessment is essential to support sustainable market development, regulatory compliance, and investment decisions in the bioeconomy. Feedback from the workshop will guide ongoing development under the 2025–2027 IEA Task 43 work program and the CEM Biofuture Platform goals for 2025.

Access the full workshop report here: Workshop Report Vancouver September 29, 2025