Bioenergy – bridging renewable energy development and biodiversity protection

The role of bioenergy in a clean energy future 

Bioenergy is produced from organic material, known as biomass, which contains carbon absorbed through photosynthesis. According to the recently published World Energy Outlook 2024 from the International Energy Agency (IEA), between 2010 and 2023, bioenergy capacity increased 2.5-times. However, an average of six times the 2023 additions to modern bioenergy each year to 2030 is needed to deliver on the UAE Consensus on tripling renewable energy capacity by 2030.  

Despite modern bioenergy’s versatility, its sustainability credentials have come under scrutiny. Currently, around 20% of its supply comes from cropland dedicated to conventional biofuel production, and therefore is potentially competing with food production. The remaining 80% of supply is from organic waste streams, and forest and wood residues. This feedstock development is viewed with caution on the grounds that its land use can have negative effects on biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions, with IEA’s report communicating the need for clear sustainability criteria and tools such as life cycle greenhouse gas performance standards for the future development of bioenergy resources. 

Biodiversity COP16 and the road to COP29 

The Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) continues for its fourth day in Colombia. As Parties look to bridge conversations on biodiversity and climate change moving forward, bioenergy arises as a key issue, sitting at the critical interface of protecting biodiversity and expanding renewable energy.    

Simultaneously, today the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) convenes its 28th Council meeting in Abu Dhabi today (24 October), the last before the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku. IRENA is a lead global intergovernmental agency for energy transformation that serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, supports countries in their energy transitions, and provides state of the art data and analyses on technology, innovation, policy, finance and investment. 

The two-day meeting brings together over 350 government representatives from 119 countries to discuss the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)'s work, assess global progress following COP28, and explore strategies to mobilise energy transition finance.  

A recently published IRENA report, Delivering on the UAE Consensus: Tracking Progress Toward Tripling Renewable Energy Capacity and Doubling Energy Efficiency by 2030, in collaboration with COP28 and COP29 Presidencies, the Government of Brazil (host of COP30), the Ministry of Energy of Azerbaijan and the Global Renewables Alliance (GRA), confirms that current national plans are projected to deliver only half of the required growth in renewable power by 2030 to limit rising global temperatures to 1.5°C. 

“The 1.5°C target is still within reach, but the risk of missing it is becoming increasingly near,” said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera. “The third round of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) must close the gap towards 2030. With COP29 less than a month away, the gathering of the IRENA Council presents another opportunity to re-emphasise the urgent need to approach Baku with significantly heightened ambition.” 

The 28th IRENA Council will also engage in discussions on national experiences in energy transition, challenges and opportunities to enhance the mobilisation of finance towards renewables, and innovative technologies and partnerships essential for the energy transformation of small island economies. 

These conversations are wholly important for the wider deployment of bioenergy, as it remains under-funded on an annual basis, at $13bn of investment in 2023 compared to $115bn needed. 

COP29 and the Climate Action Innovation Zone 

As COP29 focuses on moving the needle forward on the roll out of clean energy, the above considerations must be kept in mind. At the Agri-Food Systems Summit, taking place November 15 in the Climate Action Innovation Zone in Baku, the Future Food Systems Hackathon will feature a dedicated session on enhancing synergies between agri-food systems and bioenergy. 

Bharadwaj Kummamuru, Executive Director at the World Bioenergy Association will lead the discussion on improving existing relations between energy and feed production as deployment bioenergy solutions is scaled. The session will explore the challenges - policy, finance, technology, communication - that hinder greater interaction among energy and food systems and how the benefits of the energy transition can trickle across the entire agro – biomass – energy value chain.  

To find out more and to register for the Climate Action Innovation Zone, visit: https://events.climateaction.org/innovation-zone/whats-on/flagship-events/