Cowie et al. (2025): Quantifying Climate Change Effects of Bioenergy and BECCS: Critical Considerations and Guidance on Methodology
Annette Cowie, Kati Koponen, Anthony Benoist, Göran Berndes, Miguel Brandão, Leif Gustavsson, Patrick Lamers, Eric Marland, Sebastian Rüter, Sampo Soimakallio, David Styles, IN: GCB Bioenergy, https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.70070
Climate impacts of bioenergy depend on case-specific factors, primarily biophysical features of the biomass production system, and the design and efficiency of conversion and capture processes. Estimates of climate impacts are also strongly affected by methodological choices and assumptions, and much of the divergence between studies derives from differences in the assumed alternate use of the land or feedstock, the alternate energy source and the system boundaries applied. The authors present a methodology to support robust estimates of the climate change effects of bioenergy systems, updating the standard methodology developed by the International Energy Agency’s Technology Collaboration Program on Bioenergy.