Greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions of alternatives for woody biomass residues

This report analyzes the greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutant emissions of 15 alternative fates for woody biomass residues in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska, comparing them to common practices of on-site combustion and decomposition. Using a "post-harvest to grave" life cycle approach, the study evaluates carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, carbon monoxide, and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The findings indicate that displacing fossil fuels with biomass residues generally reduces net GHG emissions, while industrial facilities with emission controls significantly reduce CO and PM2.5 compared to uncontrolled on-site burning.

• The most common current practices for managing woody biomass residues in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska are burning them on-site in slash piles or leaving them to decompose, both of which are sources of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Using woody biomass residues to displace fossil fuels results in the most significant reductions in net GHG emissions compared to common practices. The extent of the reduction depends on the energy output per bone dry ton (bdt) and the emissions intensity of the displaced fuel; industrial boilers provide the greatest reductions due to higher energy generation per bdt.
• Industrial energy and feedstock fates—including biochar, fossil fuel boilers, integrated gasification and combustion (IGC), cogenerators, and pulp production—achieve substantial reductions in carbon monoxide (CO) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) compared to on-site combustion, with CO reductions of 93% or more and PM2.5 reductions of 85% or more.
• Residential energy use of woody biomass in fireplaces or EPA-certified stoves increases CO and PM2.5 emissions relative to common practices, unless the displaced fuel wood is diverted to on-site decomposition. Conversely, using pellet stoves reduces these pollutants compared to common practices.
• GHG emissions from the pre-processing and distribution of residues—which include gathering, chipping, and transport—are relatively low, accounting for less than 4% of the total system GHG emissions for every fate analyzed.
• Displacing existing wood or organic products with woody biomass residues provides minimal changes in net GHG emissions compared to common practices, and in cases like mulch and compost, net GHG emissions are slightly higher due to pre-processing and distribution emissions.
• Among fossil fuel displacements, using woody biomass for liquid fuel to replace gasoline offers the highest net CO emissions benefit, while using it for industrial energy to replace residual oil provides the highest net PM2.5 emissions benefit.

APA

Lee, C., Erickson, P., Lazarus, M., & Smith, G. (2010). Greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions of alternatives for woody biomass residues. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/greenhouse-gas-and-air-pollutant-emissions-of-alternatives-for-woody-biomass-residues.pdf

Chicago

Lee, Carrie, Pete Erickson, Michael Lazarus, and Gordon Smith. Greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions of alternatives for woody biomass residues. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2010. https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/greenhouse-gas-and-air-pollutant-emissions-of-alternatives-for-woody-biomass-residues.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Lee |first1=Carrie |last2=Erickson |first2=Pete |last3=Lazarus |first3=Michael |last4=Smith |first4=Gordon |title=Greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions of alternatives for woody biomass residues |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=November 2010 |url=https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/greenhouse-gas-and-air-pollutant-emissions-of-alternatives-for-woody-biomass-residues.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{lee2010greenhouse, author = {Lee, Carrie and Erickson, Pete and Lazarus, Michael and Smith, Gordon}, title = {{Greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions of alternatives for woody biomass residues}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2010}, month = nov, url = {https://www.sei.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/greenhouse-gas-and-air-pollutant-emissions-of-alternatives-for-woody-biomass-residues.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }