Category Archives: Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy

The war in Ukraine has generated nearly 230mn tonnes of CO2-equivalent (CO2e) emissions since Russia’s full-scale invasion began, with forest fires significantly contributing to the increase, according to an analysis published on the third anniversary of the conflict. The study, conducted by the Initiative on Greenhouse Gas Accounting of War, found that in the past year alone emissions linked to the war had reached 55mn tonnes. Researchers attributed much of this increase to widespread fires caused mostly by warfare, exacerbated by extreme heat and dry conditions. “What stands out in the third year is that we’ve seen landscape fires, particularly forest fires, escalating,” said Lennard de Klerk, lead researcher at the non-profit group, in an interview with The Guardian. “They are double compared to the average of the previous two years and 20-25 times more than in peacetime.” Wildfires …burned through 92,100 hectares in 2024, more than twice the annual average of the preceding two years. 

Over the last 15 years, Chile has faced a devastating drought. Higher temperatures and lower rainfall have severely affected the country’s sclerophyllous forests—one of only five Mediterranean ecosystems in the world, best known for its hardy, evergreen vegetation. In the last few years, tree canopies have also browned at unprecedented levels, losing their green color and ability to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Additionally, deforestation—driven by urban expansion and the introduction of non-native tree species—has fragmented the forests into multiple, smaller patches… A study published Feb. 10 in the journal Science of the Total Environment estimates the level of risk faced by all individual sclerophyll forest stands, in the central and coastal zones of Chile, often at altitudes from 4,500 to 7,200 feet.

Norwegian forestry companies are making history by revolutionizing how timber is transported. Beginning in 2027, Viken AT Market and AT Skog will be the first in the forestry industry to ship timber on zero-emission vessels—a game-changing move that signals a dramatic shift toward sustainable maritime logistics. This breakthrough is made possible through a partnership with Skarv Shipping, which will provide vessels powered by ammonia and electricity, significantly reducing emissions compared to conventional diesel-powered ships. Norway’s timber industry plays a crucial role in the country’s economy, exporting approximately 1 million tons of timber annually to European markets. However, most of this transport has relied on traditional diesel-powered vessels, which contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. In an effort to push the industry forward, Viken AT Market is committing to zero-emission transport, securing a long-term shipping agreement with Skarv Shipping and Arriva Shipping.

In December 2024, Drax and Pathway Energy announced a multiyear deal that could see Drax supplying upward of 1 million metric tons of wood pellets to Pathway’s currently proposed sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) plant on the U.S. Gulf Coast. In the months leading up to the announcement, Drax had hinted at such prospects, indicating plans to develop a pipeline of biomass sales opportunities in North America, including in the SAF market. Drax CEO Will Gardiner confirmed as much during a November quarterly earnings call. Currently, Drax has 17 operational wood pellet production plants across North America and a 450,000-metric-ton facility under construction in Longview, Washington. While Drax is well known in the industrial wood pellet industry, Pathway Energy is a new and unique market participant.  Pellet Mill Magazine interviewed Pathway Energy CEO Steve Roberts to introduce the company, technology and plans.

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is developing a national carbon credit system for the forestry sector, termed the Forest Carbon Offset (FCO) mechanism, to promote transparent carbon trading and prevent greenwashing. Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad said: “The ministry has introduced the REDD+ financial framework. This initiative offers financial support to state governments for activities focused on forest conservation and ecosystem sustainability, particularly to mitigate climate change. A key component … is the FCO mechanism. It serves as the primary mechanism for generating carbon credits in the forestry sector for domestic and international markets. Our aim is to create a domestic carbon credit system aligned with international standards, including Verra and the Gold Standard, while ensuring competitive fees. This system is being developed with input from stakeholders”. 

Turkey is poor in oil and gas while its renewable energy sector is heavily reliant on a mix of hydro, wind and solar. But another element is heating up: biofuel – fuel derived directly from biomass, such as wood or plant matter – is gaining interest domestically and creating an export market not available to other renewables. Demand for and output of biomass pellets used in stoves, furnaces and heaters as an alternative to coal or wood to cope with Turkey’s often freezing winters have increased in recent years. Produced by crushing and compressing wood waste, the pellets have a higher per-kilo energy output than gas, coal or oil, and far lower emission levels, according to promoters. Studies estimate Turkey has the raw material to produce up to 1.8 million tonnes of pellets annually, although installed processing capacity has yet to reach this level.

Mercedes’ Formula 1 team have joined forces with nature-based carbon developer Chestnut Carbon to support high-quality carbon removal projects across the Southeastern United States. Aiming to deliver “impactful climate projects that scale the rejuvenation of damaged land”, the first initiative will involve restoring 200 hectares of degraded agricultural acreage into vibrant biodiverse forests through the planting of more than 260,000 native trees. Chestnut Carbon’s projects focus on land previously used for monocrops and methane-heavy cattle production, with the developer so far planting over 10 million trees with a diverse mix of native pine and 18 different hardwood species – efforts that will capture and remove over one million tonnes of carbon by 2040. While emissions reduction remain Mercedes F1’s “primary focus”, the team note that “some areas within our carbon footprint may have residual emissions which will require removals of the highest quality”.

HELSINKI — By the end of 2024, Stora Enso achieved a 53% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, surpassing the target of a 50% reduction by 2030 from the 2019 base year. This milestone reflects the Group’s long-term commitment to proactive decarbonisation efforts. In 2021, Stora Enso set its ambition to align with the 1.5-degree scenario of the Paris Agreement with a target of absolute Scope 1 and 2 emission reduction by 50% by 2030 from the 2019 base year. The 53% reduction by the end of 2024 is mainly attributed to mitigation measures, such as fuel switches and improvements in energy efficiency, and the impact from site closures. While Stora Enso acknowledges this progress, the Group’s target is to maintain this level until 2030 and explore opportunities to further improve. “I am pleased to share this progress on our path towards net zero,” says Hans Sohlström, President and CEO, Stora Enso.

Surprise, surprise, a mighty £7bn of subsidies since 2012 have not been enough to get Drax to stand on its own feet. More bungs are required to keep the wood fires burning at the enormous power plant in North Yorkshire. The energy minister Michael Shanks at least sounded embarrassed. He railed against the “unacceptably large profits” Drax has made, said past subsidy arrangements “did not deliver a good enough deal for bill payers” and vowed that that the definition of a “sustainable” wood pellet would be tightened. But the bottom line is that the government has agreed to crank the subsidy handle once again, just at a slower rate. Why? As he didn’t quite put it, Drax has us over a barrel if we’re not prepared to use more gas to generate electricity. A renewables-heavy system needs firm, reliable power as backup. Transporting wood pellets from North America to burn in Yorkshire is deemed the solution.