Biomass Controversy: Unveiling UK’s Carbon-Heavy Energy Subsidies
Join Christopher Snowdon, Head of Lifestyle Economics at the Institute of Economic Affairs, as he exposes a troubling reality – the UK government’s use of taxpayers’ money to subsidise one of the country’s most carbon-emitting energy sources: burning wood chips. Snowdon reveals that wood chips release more carbon dioxide than traditional fossil fuels, with over six million tonnes burned annually, heavily relying on taxpayer subsidies projected to hit £11 billion by 2027.
Discover why the government subsidises tree burning, criticised as an accounting trick. Imported wood pellets, mainly from North America, avoid inclusion in the UK’s carbon emissions, allowing the government to claim reductions that exist only on paper.
While the industry promises carbon capture technology will make woody biomass energy eco-friendly and carbon negative, Snowdon highlights the government’s scepticism, labelling the technology ‘unproven at scale.’ Don’t miss this critical debate on the sustainability of subsidising tree cutting. Explore the IEA’s latest publication, Trees for burning: the biomass controversy, at iea.org.uk for profound insights into this challenge to a greener future.
Discover why the government subsidises tree burning, criticised as an accounting trick. Imported wood pellets, mainly from North America, avoid inclusion in the UK’s carbon emissions, allowing the government to claim reductions that exist only on paper.
While the industry promises carbon capture technology will make woody biomass energy eco-friendly and carbon negative, Snowdon highlights the government’s scepticism, labelling the technology ‘unproven at scale.’ Don’t miss this critical debate on the sustainability of subsidising tree cutting. Explore the IEA’s latest publication, Trees for burning: the biomass controversy, at iea.org.uk for profound insights into this challenge to a greener future.