Biomass and Land Use in a Decarbonizing US Economy

This research paper analyzes the role of biomass and biofuels in the decarbonization of the United States economy through 2050, arguing that biomass is a limited resource that must be managed with strict carbon accounting and guardrails to avoid unsustainable land use change.

• Biomass is a land-intensive and limited resource where demand may exceed sustainable supply, potentially leading to competition between industries and unsustainable land use change. The paper notes that utilizing crops for biomass may require significantly more land than the implementation of renewable energy.
• To maximize climate benefits, biomass should be prioritized for high-value applications such as carbon removal, chemicals production, and next-generation fuels, rather than conventional biofuels or electricity combustion. The most sustainable feedstocks are wastes and residues from forestry, agriculture, and municipalities, whereas purpose-grown or food crops are unlikely to benefit the climate.
• The authors recommend that the U.S. accelerate electrification and energy efficiency to lower biomass demand. Furthermore, policy incentives like low-carbon fuel standards and tax credits should prioritize feedstocks that support decarbonization and avoid those that cause land use change and increased greenhouse gas emissions.

APA

World Resources Institute (n.d.). Biomass and Land Use in a Decarbonizing US Economy. https://www.wri.org/research/biomass-and-land-use-decarbonizing-us-economy

Chicago

World Resources Institute. Biomass and Land Use in a Decarbonizing US Economy. n.d. https://www.wri.org/research/biomass-and-land-use-decarbonizing-us-economy.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Resources Institute |title=Biomass and Land Use in a Decarbonizing US Economy |url=https://www.wri.org/research/biomass-and-land-use-decarbonizing-us-economy |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldresourcesinstitutendbiomass, author = {{World Resources Institute}}, title = {{Biomass and Land Use in a Decarbonizing US Economy}}, institution = {World Resources Institute}, url = {https://www.wri.org/research/biomass-and-land-use-decarbonizing-us-economy}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }