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Letter to Commissioner Cañete: EU LULUCF proposal has repercussions beyond the EU
The document argues that the EU's LULUCF proposal should establish a separate target for soils and forests to prevent carbon sequestration from being used to offset industrial emissions. It emphasizes the need for improved accounting rules, safeguards for bioenergy, and the protection of ecosystem integrity and food security, particularly for indigenous peoples and small-scale farmers.
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Document type: Statement
Supporting bioscience innovation in Eastern Africa
The study examines bioscience innovation in Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda, focusing on crop improvement, agro-industrial waste conversion, value-added sorghum and millet products, and industrial enzymes. It finds that while R&D knowledge is generally strong, the transition to market is hindered by weak policy guidance, insufficient market creation, and limited resource mobilization. The authors argue that the region's R&D is 'demand-driven, but not business-driven', and recommend strengthening public-private partnerships, establishing business incubators, and creating national bioeconomy strategies to bridge the gap between research and commercialization.
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Document type: Research paper
The risks of relying on tomorrow’s ‘negative emissions’ to guide today’s mitigation action
The paper argues that relying on future large-scale negative emissions to 'undo' current carbon emissions is a high-risk strategy that may lead to insufficient near-term decarbonization. It identifies three primary risk types: technological/biophysical infeasibility, unacceptable social and ecological impacts, and the potential for sequestered carbon to be re-released or for climate impacts to become irreversible. The authors evaluate four land-based options, concluding that while ecosystem restoration and reforestation may provide some viable negative emissions, high-reliance scenarios (e.g., those requiring 1,000 Gt CO2) are likely unachievable. BECCS is highlighted as particularly risky due to unproven commercial scale and extreme land and resource requirements. The paper advocates for a 'zero fossil carbon' goal over 'net zero' to ensure aggressive immediate mitigation.
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Document type: Research paper
catf_filings_biomass_engoresponselettersecretaryvilsack-97da7f21c3360d4f.pdf
The document argues that biomass energy, specifically wood pellets exported from the U.S. to the UK, does not provide significant greenhouse gas benefits and may actually increase carbon pollution. It disputes USDA claims regarding forest growth in the Southern U.S., attributing reported increases to changes in surveying and categorization rather than new planting. Additionally, it warns that the demand for wood pellets threatens southeastern bottomland hardwood forests and misrepresents modeling studies as retrospective evidence of forest growth.
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Document type: Statement
Why LULUCF cannot ensure that bioenergy reduces emissions
The document challenges the assumption that bioenergy is carbon-neutral, noting that LULUCF accounting cannot independently guarantee emission savings. It recommends an EU-wide cap on bioenergy, the exclusion of high-risk biomass sources, and a 'net-net' accounting approach for forest management emissions to ensure real climate benefits.
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Document type: Policy brief
INSIGHTS SUGARCANE’S ROLE IN FUELING THE ECONOMY
The document reports that the expansion of sugarcane mills in Mato Grosso do Sul between 2005 and 2012 led to significant local economic growth, including a 30% GDP increase within three years of mill arrival. This growth was characterized by a shift in land use from cattle pastures to sugarcane, increased productivity in other crops like soybean and corn, and a reduction in average deforestation by 6.3 thousand hectares. The expansion also stimulated the labor market, increasing overall employment by 40% and expanding access to financial services and rural credit.
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Document type: Briefing
100% SUSTAINABLE TIMBER MARKETS: THE ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS CASE
The report argues that sustainable timber markets are essential for preserving global economic activity and securing the long-term supply of raw materials for UK businesses. It highlights that forests contribute approximately US$17.6 trillion to the global economy, with timber and paper making up 16% of international soft commodity trade. The document warns that legal and sustainable timber supplies from several key source countries are at risk of depletion, while global demand is rising due to expanding Asian economies and the biomass energy industry. For UK businesses, the report identifies commercial benefits including regulatory advantages under the EU Timber Regulation (EUTR), easier access to finance, enhanced brand value, and improved workforce engagement. It also examines the UK domestic timber industry, noting that while it contributes ~£21.0 billion in GVA, domestic softwood supply is threatened by a long-term decline in new planting.
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Document type: Report
Render Unto Science: Biomass Carbon Emissions Should Be Determined by Science, Not Congressional Fiat
The Clean Air Task Force criticizes a June 2016 Senate Appropriations Committee bill that requires the US Environmental Protection Agency to treat forest biomass-based energy generation as carbon neutral. The author contends that this 'attempt to legislate science' ignores research showing that biomass combustion typically increases atmospheric carbon dioxide levels for decades. The document calls for a scientifically-defensible approach to carbon accounting, noting that while some specific bioenergy systems like co-generation using harvest residues may offer benefits, burning forest biomass generally emits more carbon dioxide per unit of electricity than coal or natural gas.
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Document type: Statement
Acrocomia aculeata as feedstock
The study identifies significant current potential for cultivating Acrocomia aculeata in Latin America, particularly in Central America, the Caribbean, northern Colombia, Venezuela, southern Brazil, and eastern Paraguay. However, it warns that many suitable areas are already used for agriculture or have high conservation value, and that under the IPCC A2A 'business as usual' scenario, most suitable growing areas could severely decline or disappear by 2080.
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Document type: Research paper
Cascading of woody biomass: definitions, policies and effects on international trade
The paper analyzes the 'cascading' principle of woody biomass, which prioritizes material use over energy use. It warns that without harmonized rules across the EU and North America, implementation could lead to complex legislative disputes over biomass classification and the exploitation of regulatory loopholes in international trade.
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Document type: Research paper
Improving resource productivity in Western Cape agri-processing
The Resource Productivity (RP) project by GreenCape identifies high-impact green technology opportunities for agri-processing in the Western Cape, with a particular focus on the fruit sector. The project developed three business cases: solar PV for packhouses, solar thermal for industrial heating, and the bioconversion of organic waste into insect protein for animal feed. Findings indicate that solar PV is financially viable for large packhouses and that solar thermal can significantly reduce fuel costs, as 79% of the sector's energy demand is for heat. The report also highlights the potential for biogas and insect protein to create thousands of jobs and generate substantial GDP contributions while diverting organic waste from landfills. Strategic recommendations for the Western Cape Government include supporting local technology development, streamlining waste regulations, and promoting the use of insect meal in aquaculture.
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Document type: Executive summary
Industrial and terrestrial carbon leakage under climate policy fragmentation
The study examines how fragmented climate policies, where some regions implement carbon taxes while others do not, lead to 'carbon leakage'—the relocation of emissions to non-participating regions. It distinguishes between industrial carbon leakage (ICL), driven by fossil fuel price changes, and terrestrial carbon leakage (TCL), driven by land-use changes. The findings indicate that TCL is the dominant form of leakage until 2050, primarily due to deforestation in non-participating regions as food and bioenergy production shift away from participating areas. The research concludes that the total leakage rate decreases as the size of the climate coalition increases, but even the most inclusive fragmented scenarios fail to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C by 2100.
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Document type: Research paper
Agriculture: Market Intelligence Report 2016
The report argues that rising input costs, water scarcity, and international market pressure are driving a transition toward green agriculture in South Africa. It highlights specific opportunities in energy efficiency, solar PV, conservation agriculture, precision agriculture, biological control, and biogas, while noting barriers such as high import costs, regulatory delays, and a lack of technical skills.
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Document type: Report
Informe de la Dirección Ejecutiva del IAI a la Vigésima cuarta Conferencia de las Partes
The report details the conclusion of the Small Grants Program for Cooperative Research in the Americas (SGP-CRA) and the ongoing progress of the Third Cooperative Research Networks Program (CRN3). It highlights the mobilization of US$ 26 million from an initial US$ 2.75 million investment in SGP-CRA and the implementation of 17 multidisciplinary networks under CRN3. Key achievements include the influence of research on legislation in Argentina, the development of hurricane forecasting for Baja California, and the creation of a coastal risk decision tool for 25 Caribbean countries. The report also notes the start of the CONICET-IAI partnership and the development of the Inter-American Forum for Global Change Research Cooperation to expand multilateral funding.
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Document type: Report
Smart-Sourced Fuel Products
The brochure describes 'Smart-Sourced Fuel Products' as eco-friendly biomass blends created from agricultural residues, wetland plants, grassland plants, and forestry residues. These materials can be processed into pellets, briquettes, cubes, biochar, biogas, and fuel logs for residential, industrial, and commercial heating. The document highlights environmental benefits, such as the capture of phosphorus and nitrogen from cattails to protect Lake Winnipeg, and economic advantages for landowners and municipalities. It notes that Manitoba has an estimated 3 to 5 million tonnes of available biomass annually, plus 3 million tonnes of cattail. Replacing all coal use in Manitoba with biomass is estimated to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 200,000 tonnes.
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Document type: Fact sheet
Combustibles ingénieux
The document describes 'smart-sourced fuels' as ecological heating products made from local agricultural residues, wetland plants, and forestry waste. It highlights the environmental and economic benefits of these fuels in Manitoba, specifically noting the potential of cattails (quenouilles) as a sustainable biomass source. The text provides data on biomass availability around Winnipeg and Brandon and argues that replacing coal with biomass could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the province.
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Document type: Fact sheet
climate change adaptation in swedish forestry: driving forces, risks and opportunities
The report examines how stakeholders in Swedish forestry perceive climate change risks and opportunities. It finds that while some anticipate increased growth, others fear storm damage and pests. Adaptation is driven by personal experience of extreme weather and trust in advisers, but hindered by distrust of climate science and conflicting views on effective management strategies. The document emphasizes the need for user-oriented, interactive communication between researchers and practitioners to foster adaptation.
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Document type: Report
How Kenya can transform the charcoal sector and create new opportunities for low-carbon rural development
The document analyzes the charcoal value chain in Kenya, highlighting the tension between high biomass energy demand and forest loss. It evaluates the role of Charcoal Producer Associations (CPAs) and the potential for improved kiln and stove technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The brief advocates for a coordinated policy approach, including the implementation of a Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA), to transition the sector from an informal, inefficient state to a regulated, sustainable industry that contributes to Kenya's Paris Agreement commitments.
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Document type: Briefing
Economic assessment of the impacts of climate change in Uganda: Key results
The report argues that the cost of inaction regarding climate change in Uganda is significantly higher than the cost of adaptation, estimating annual losses between US$3.1 bn and 5.9 bn by 2025 compared to an adaptation cost of US$406 m over five years. It identifies critical vulnerabilities in water availability, agricultural exports (particularly coffee), biomass energy supply, and infrastructure resilience, while highlighting that many proposed adaptation measures are 'no regrets' investments that provide immediate development benefits.
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Document type: Executive summary
TomorrowNow – Manitoba’s Green Plan: Stakeholder consultations on climate change
The report details a bottom-up consultation process in Manitoba involving nine group sessions and 67 bilateral meetings between October 2013 and January 2015. It identifies the province's unique emissions profile, dominated by transportation (38.4%) and agriculture (31.3%), and provides a suite of consensus recommendations across governance, regulatory streamlining, and energy efficiency. A significant portion of the document explores carbon pricing options, including a proposed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) model and Environmental Fiscal Reform (EFR) such as vehicle registration fee adjustments, to support the transition to a low-carbon economy.
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Document type: Executive summary