Energetic use of wood

Biomass remains a key raw material in the German energy sector, whereby wood is often perceived by the public as a sustainable raw material. This understanding is supported by legal regulations: For example, the Climate Protection Act assesses the removal of wood from forests as harmful to the climate, while the burning of wood to generate heat is not included in national emissions budgets. This regulation is coming under increasing criticism, as timber extraction exceeds the regenerative capacities of forests and new trees need decades to reach the CO2 storage potential of felled trees.

Against this background, IKEM is analyzing national and European legislation and funding programs for the use of wood as an energy source. The aim of the project is to create a comprehensive overview of the existing legal framework. This is intended to show decision-makers how the topic is legally anchored and what weaknesses exist. The results will be discussed in an expert meeting with representatives of relevant industries and institutions in order to obtain a well-founded overall picture and develop recommendations for possible legal adjustments.