Graanul Invest collaborates with industry players to advance sustainable biomass best practice

• The World Bioenergy Association is inviting stakeholders across the international bioenergy sector to come together to discuss sustainability best practices.
• Graanul Invest´s case study on the Woodland Key Habitats protection system is published in the paper as a good example of protecting and enhancing biodiversity.

A new paper, “Transparency, trust and best practice of responsible biomass use”, published 19th of April by the World Bioenergy Association, explores the Glasgow Declaration on Sustainable Bioenergy, some of the nuances of our public debate on sustainability, and the importance of getting bioenergy right.

Bioenergy has a vital role to play in tackling the climate crisis, but only when it is done in a sustainable way. The International Energy Agency’s landmark Net Zero Emissions report calls for modern, sustainably-sourced bioenergy to meet almost 20% of global energy needs by 2050.

The Glasgow Declaration on Sustainable Bioenergy, launched at COP26, set out 16 high-level sustainability principles for responsible biomass use. The aim of the principles is to create a simplified framework version of regulations and requirements needed in sustainable bioenergy, to enable a more nuanced debate about what makes the right conditions for sustainability through regulation, certification and best practice.

Graanul Invest, together with other industry players and stakeholders is now inviting to use the Glasgow Declaration as a starting framework to discuss and develop sustainability best practices in dialogue within and beyond the global industry. As the bioenergy sector expands, the paper states, we all have a responsibility to ensure sustainability is at the heart of any biomass use.

Mihkel Jugaste, Chief Sustainability Officer, Graanul Invest, said:

“Sustainability is at the core of Graanul Invest’s approach to business and use of biomass. Bioenergy is key to tackling climate change but must be aligned with clear principles of transparency, compliance, and best practice.

“The ongoing development of a global bioeconomy will be a key part of a transition to a sustainable future but will require collaboration across a wide range of sectors. The Glasgow Declaration on Sustainable Bioenergy is an important initiative to drive and expand ambition on sustainability and best practice as we move towards a Net Zero world.”

The Glasgow Declaration on Sustainable Bioenergy is supported by a number of the world’s largest bioenergy organisations, including: Drax Group, Enviva, Graanul Invest, Lynemouth Power Limited, and RWE.

Both the original Glasgow Declaration on Sustainable Bioenergy and the new paper, “Transparency, trust and best practice of responsible biomass use”, are available at the Glasgow Declaration on Sustainable Bioenergy website.