Scientists and academics come together to defend Spanish forest biomass

After the approval by the Plenary of the European Parliament on September 14, 2022 of the agreed text to present to the final phase of the negotiations of the Directive (trilogues) between the European Parliament itself, the Commission and the Council, in which Regarding 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 provide light from a scientific point of view, 109 Spanish scientists, researchers, professors and professors publish the manifesto on forest biomass in the update of the European Biomass Directive. Renewables that has been addressed to the third vice president of the Government and minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Ms. Teresa Ribera, in which the following fundamental aspects are justified:

1. The European forestry reality is very diverse and does not coincide with the Spanish reality either in forestry matters or in the development of the biomass sector.
2. The Spanish forest masses lack management, conservationism is confused with abandonment.
3. Sustainable forest management as an integrative solution.
4. Protection of Spanish mountains, there is guaranteeing regulations.
5. Circular bioeconomy yes, contemplating all its uses, including energy ones.
6. European Renewable Directive (RED III), Mediterranean forests are lacking consideration.

The objective of this manifesto is to achieve scientific dissemination of the uniqueness of the forest reality in Spain and the positive impacts that sustainable forest management induces in the conservation of Spanish natural heritage by preventing large forest fires, increasing carbon fixation in the mountains and mobilize the accumulated forest biomass. In addition to trying to make people understand the importance of updating the Renewable Directive (RED III) in progress, taking into consideration the forests of southern Europe, being sensitive to the idiosyncrasy of the Spanish forestry sector and valuing the strategic importance of the circular bioeconomy for the territories, so that its publication does not cause harm to them and their associated sectors.

Although the manifesto has been prepared from the field of science and academia to be signed 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 Wood Entrepreneurs of Navarra, Federation of Forestry Associations of Castilla y 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 Forestry Organizations of Spain and the Union of Foresters of Southern Europe have also agreed to support it, as it is an open signature collection process that has been 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 view of the final negotiations of the Renewable Energy Directive (RED III) that are currently taking place.