Scientists and academics unite to defend Spanish forest biomass

Following the approval by the Plenary of the Eur on September 14, 2022, of the agreed text to be submitted to the final phase of the Directive negotiations (trilogues) between the Parliament itself, the Commission and the Eur , with regard to forest (woody) biomass, the Spanish forestry scientific community observes with concern a possible limitation on its use for energy purposes .

In order to explain concepts and shed light from a scientific point of view, 109 Spanish scientists, researchers, professors and lecturers have published the manifesto on forest biomass in the update of the European Renewable Energy Directive, Eur has been addressed to the Third Vice-President of the Government and Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Ms. Teresa Ribera, in which the following fundamental aspects are justified:

1. The eurforestry reality is very diverse and does not coincide with the Spanish one, neither in forestry matters nor in the development of the biomass sector.
2. Spanish forests lack management; conservation is confused with neglect.
3. Sustainable forest management as an integrated solution.
4. Protection of Spanish forests: there are regulations guaranteeing this.
5. Circular bioeconomy yes, considering all its uses, including energy uses.
6. EurRenewable Energy Directive (RED III), lacks consideration for Mediterranean forests.

The aim of this manifesto is to disseminate scientific information about the unique characteristics of Spain's forests and the positive impacts of sustainable forest management on the conservation of Spain's natural heritage. This includes preventing large forest fires, increasing carbon sequestration in forests, and mobilizing accumulated forest biomass. Furthermore, it seeks to highlight the importance of the ongoing update to the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) taking into account the forests of Southern Eur , being sensitive to the specific characteristics of the Spanish forestry sector, and emphasizing the strategic importance of the circular bioeconomy for these territories. The goal is to ensure that the Directive's publication does not negatively impact these territories or their associated sectors.

Although the manifesto was drafted within the scientific and academic community for signature by its peers, other entities in the Spanish forestry sector, such as the Andalusian Forestry Association, the Bioenergy Cluster of Catalonia, the Association of Forest Owners of Eastern Andalusia, the Association of Timber Businesses of Navarre, the Federation of Forestry Associations of Castile and León, the Official College of Forestry Engineers, the Official College of Technical Forestry Engineers, the Extremadura Association of Forestry and Environmental Companies, the Confederation of Forest Owners' Organizations of Spain, and the Union of Forest Owners of Southern Eur, have also endorsed it, as it is an open signature collection process carried out through the Peticion.es portal.

The signatories of the Scientific Manifesto hope that it will be analyzed and trust that it will be taken into account by the Government of Spain in the final negotiations of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) that are currently taking place.