Burning trees is not a clean energy option: climate advocates – National Observer
November 16th 2023
With the annual United Nations climate conference just around the corner, environmental groups are calling for an end to subsidies that support burning forest biomass to generate electricity.
In an open letter to Natural Resources and Energy Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault, the groups say financial support for the industry is at odds with the federal government’s pledge to phase out subsidies that harm biodiversity. The 24 signatories urge the government to “reverse course and choose true climate solutions” instead of “simply shifting from burning fossil fuels to burning forests for fuel.”
Wilkinson did not respond to a request for comment by deadline.
Forest biomass includes all parts of the tree: bark, branches, needles, leaves and roots. These leftovers from trees being processed into lumber can be turned into wood pellets and burned to create electricity.
