It is becoming more clear that we need sustainable energy sources that are environmentally friendly for future generations. Fossil fuels are depleting, and the population is growing, creating more energy. Then there’s the nasty effect of the greenhouse gas emissions that many fossil fuels produce. This has resulted in a push to make use of biomass for energy. Sustainable development research is taking place worldwide to efficiently and adequately utilise biomass and become better equipped for it to be used in the future. In this article, we want to discuss biomass for the sustainable development of how we use energy.
What Do You Mean By Sustainable Development?
The concept of sustainable development is a common phrase used when discussing the future of our planet and how to improve it. We believe a simple explanation from the Bruntland Commission Report describes it best:
“Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
What is the Difference Between Sustainable Development and Sustainability?
Sustainability is seen as a long term goal we want to reach for a sustainable planet. On the other hand, sustainable development refers to how we reach those goals, such as the processes involved. This can include:
- Education and training
- Sustainable agriculture
- Sustainable production and consumption
- Research and technology development
- Sustainable forestry management
What are the 5 P’s of Sustainable Development?
Genuine sustainability can only happen with some core values to move towards sustainable development. The values were thought up for the 2030 Agenda:
- People
- Planet
- Prosperity
- Partnership
- Peace
On top of this, there are also core elements in which these sustainable development values sit: social inclusion, environmental protection, and economic growth.
What is Biomass?
Here at Woodyfuel, we want to help with the sustainable development of our planet, and we do this by providing sustainable wood fuel. Therefore, now we have given you some clarity about sustainable development, here is a reminder of what biomass is!
Biomass is solid organic matter that often comes from wood or straw, which can then be burnt for electricity or heat. However, this is only one type of biofuel; there is also biodiesel and bioethanol. These types are all collectively called bioenergy.
How Does Biomass Help With Sustainable Development?
There are many reasons that biomass could help with the sustainable development of our world. Hopefully, we can aid our future generations with the work we are doing now if we all work together. Here are just a few reasons why biomass can assist with sustainable development.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
If produced correctly, biomass can help with the reduction of greenhouse gases. There can be detrimental effects on the environment when producers are not following stricter policies, in which biomass is longer carbon neutral. Governments could aid with sustainable development by ensuring that more guidelines are in place to prevent this unsustainable way of producing biomass energy.
Sustainable Development of the Power Sector
Wind and solar resources are available to push us to more sustainable energy usage. However, biomass and other bioenergies have the advantage of balancing out the amount of energy needed when there is little wind and grey weather. The intermittent tendencies of both solar and wind are often discussed as a negative towards renewable energy. This is why biomass can efficiently supply companies with the power to run correctly. This also extends to the building sector, where biomass can provide furnaces and other heating systems for feedstock, and the transportation sector, where biofuels can be produced to run transport efficiently and sustainably. On top of this, biofuels as a whole are currently the only viable alternative to fossil fuels for bigger transportation systems such as freight transport, aviation, or marine shipments.
Climate Change Goals
Now, biomass is helping enhance energy access for specific regions to ease the reliance on fossil fuels. One day, this should completely replace fossil fuels, whether by force when we run out of fossil fuels or with practical, sustainable development worldwide. Biomass can contribute to tackling climate change goals, social objectives, and other environmental factors.
Social Benefits
Biomass production is not just helpful for the environment but for people trying to earn a living! Processes are being developed by inclusive multi-stakeholders who can identify areas suitable for biomass production. This means arrangements can be made for contract farming. Small scale farmers could diversify their land use and gain new income from selling their refuse to biomass companies. This promotes the positive effects of biomass production as it avoids any negative impacts on the environment, both in production and development.
Sustainable Intensification and Landscape Planning
Increasing the production output per land unit can make more land available for additional biomass production. This can also improve an ecosystem’s health and maintain it after the fact. Restoring degraded land and reducing losses within the food chain can also occur if sustainable development and proper landscape planning occur. Systems can be put in place to meet biomass demand while still keeping the process completely sustainable. These processes can include:
- Intercropping
- Crop rotations
- Agro-forestry approaches (such as the use of nitrogen-fixing energy crops to up the yields of neighbouring food crops)
- Planting flexible/multipurpose crops
By implementing these integrated systems and sustainable practices, it doesn’t just help with sustainable biomass production and energy production, but also:
- Higher food production
- Enhanced biodiversity
- Efficient land use
Landscape planning can also mitigate things such as:
- Salinisation (the process by which a nonsaline soil becomes saline, as by the irrigation of land with brackish water)
- Soil erosion
- Eutrophication of surface waters (this is a process by which pollution from water become overrich in organic and mineral nutrients so that algae and cyanobacteria snowball and deplete the oxygen supply)
- Soil compaction
- Environmental degradation
Expansion of Biomass Resources
Our growing population has meant a more significant food production needed. In turn, this leaves more organic residues, both in the processing and on the field. Crop type, topography, climate, and soil conditions play a part in local agricultural circumstances, so a portion of crop residue is often needed for soil care. Some are needed for animal feed and bedding. The remaining residues are usually burnt in parts of the world, causing air pollution and adverse climate change impacts. This can all be removed for biomass production.
Sustainable Forestry Management
Like the last point, the growing demand for forest products like lumber, paper, and pulp, creates more residues from manufacturing and production processes. There is low-quality wood and has no industrial use, which could also be used for biomass production. As long as sustainable forest management is used, biomass production can enhance the health and productivity of forests worldwide.
What are the Main Objectives of the SDGs?
A huge part of sustainable development occurring nowadays is thanks to the sustainable development goals (SDGs) thought up by the United Nations department in 2015 (this is kind of like a world business council dedicated to creating a sustainable world and solving global challenges). The outcomes of the United Nations member states decisions, known as ‘sustainable development goals’ are all to balance environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
How Many Sustainable Development Goals are There?
There are 17 sustainable development goals in total, not all to do with the environment, but all are to improve every aspect of the planet (both in developing countries and developed countries). These global goals are:
- No poverty
- Zero hunger
- Good health and well being
- Quality education
- Gender quality
- Clean water and sanitation
- Affordable and clean energy
- Decent work and economic growth
- Industry, innovation and infrastructure
- Reduced inequality
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Responsible consumption and production
- Climate action
- Life below water
- Life on land
- Peace, justice and strong institutions
- Global partnership for the goals
To read more about the business strategy of sustainable consumption, visit the UN Sustainable Development Goals page.
Our Focus on Biomass in Sustainable Development
As we are an integrated wood fuel supply company, we produce the energy you need through the renewable resource of biomass with sustainable forestry administration. Our facilities collect, process and recycle any wood material to be used for sustainable biomass heating systems.
The biomass fuel we provide is an excellent source of renewable energy because of:
Our excellent forest management system
Waste residues will always exist to continue providing green fuel
Brash removal and site clearances can be used sustainably
Low carbon energy is caused (and sometimes complete carbon neutrality!)
We formed our strategy to allow industries and domestic properties to source locally available green fuel in the UK. We are an authorised Wood Fuel BSL Supplier of wood pellets, chips, and brash, so you know that we are a government-approved business that meets the RHI sustainability criteria required to claim your RHI payments.
Brash Removal Services for Sustainable Development
Another of our services is brash removal. Years of experience have developed our extensive knowledge within the brash clearance industry. You can get tree branches, brash, and chippings removed for a cost-effective fuel source.
We are always respectful of any forest area, as we are an environmentally-oriented business. You can be put at ease with the fully compliant paperwork provided for you to meet the contractual requirements and forest research criteria.
At Woodyfuel, we have honed our skills and have efficient processes to clean up your site with our various machines. So, we can complete the job professionally and quickly while having efficient organisational skills, low fuel consumption and emissions, and low costs!
We hope you have learnt a lot about sustainable development in this article. Still, if you want any more information, our experts at Woodyfuel can help you with any questions. If you want to know more about our services, call us today or explore more of our website.
