Polytechnik

Forest Conversion and Bioenergy: A Win-Win Strategy

Accelerating forest conversion in response to climate change was one of the conference’s key topics. Franz Titschenbacher, President of the Austrian Biomass Association, emphasised the dual role of forests: as vital carbon sinks and as a sustainable source of biomass that can replace fossil fuels.

“It is not renewable solutions that are lacking, but the will to phase out fossil fuels. Electrification on the one hand and the expansion of biomass on the other together enable a 100% fossil-free, affordable and environmentally friendly energy system.”

His statement underlined the importance of making forests more resilient to climate change while at the same time using their renewable resources responsibly.

The Heating Sector: A Key Driver of Decarbonisation

Another major focus was the heating sector, which represents one of the greatest opportunities for decarbonising the energy system. Lorenz Strimitzer from the Austrian Energy Agency pointed out that seasonal energy demand for heating is five times higher than electricity demand, with peak demand reaching up to 63 GW.

“We must significantly accelerate the expansion of renewable energy in the heating sector to close the generation gap – especially during winter.”

The study clearly demonstrates that the direct use of bioenergy will play a crucial role in achieving Austria’s climate and energy targets.

Bioenergy as a Cornerstone of the Energy Transition

The analyses presented at the conference show that bioenergy is indispensable for achieving the EU’s renewable energy and decarbonisation targets. Expanding the use of biomass in the heating sector not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also strengthens regional value creation, supports local employment and reduces dependence on imported fossil fuels.

According to the biomass strategy scenarios, increasing biomass use to 300–350 PJ by 2040 is both technically feasible and economically realistic.

Building Climate-Resilient Forests

Sustainable forest management is another key element of the strategy. Diversifying forests by replacing vulnerable spruce monocultures with climate-resilient mixed forests will help secure the long-term availability of raw materials while increasing resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Learn More

The full conference report and the supporting studies published by the Austrian Biomass Association are available here “Bioenergie überholt Erdgas”

Zsolt Garai, Markus Herzog