In its latest misinformation-laden press release, the Dogwood Alliance cited the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report on Climate Change and Land as supposed evidence against the use of wood biomass for electricity generation. The problem? That very IPCC report actually argues in favor of renewable wood energy and contradicts the false claims of the Dogwood Alliance. In their latest release, Dogwood writes:
“Despite a mounting body of scientific evidence warning governments against the large-scale use of bioenergy — such as the IPCC’s latest special report on Climate Change and Land — the Cooper administration has allowed this industry to expand without proper scrutiny, ignoring calls for a state cumulative impact study.”
This is a false representation of the United Nations’ recommendations. The IPCC actually concludes, with high confidence, that “Sustainable forest management aimed at providing timber, fibre, biomass, non-timber resources and other ecosystem functions and services, can lower GHG emissions and can contribute to adaptation.” (SPM B5.4, page 25)
The IPCC also goes on to state that all pathways to limiting climate change require bioenergy:
“All assessed modelled pathways that limit warming to 1.5°C or well below 2°C require land-based mitigation and land-use change, with most including different combinations of reforestation, afforestation, reduced deforestation, and bioenergy.” (SPM B7, page 26)
Contrary to the false claims of the Dogwood Alliance, the IPCC report actually debunks the arguments of those opposed to wood biomass. Indeed, support for sustainable forest management and a role for biomass in the fight against global climate change is now part of the broad scientific consensus.
In September, more than 100 university forest scientists joined the IPCC in embracing the environmental benefits of wood biomass. These scientists signed on to a letter published by the National Association of University Forest Resource Programs (NAUFRP) confirming that biomass decreases carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels, stating in part:
“Forest biomass energy yields significant net decreases in overall carbon accumulation in the atmosphere over time compared to fossil fuels.”
That the Dogwood Alliance has resorted to distorting the position of the United Nations is additional evidence that their anti-forestry arguments are falling flat.
Tags: Dogwood Alliance, IPCC