To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the size the overseas carbon footprint is of the cutting down of trees, converting them into wood pellets, and shipping them to the UK to generate electricity for Britain.
Answered on
11 June 2021
The UK only supports biomass which complies with strict sustainability criteria, and electricity generators receive subsidies only for compliant biomass.
The sustainability criteria, amongst other things, take into account the greenhouse gas emissions from collecting, transporting and turning biomass into a viable energy source (e.g. wood pellets), whether that is in the UK or elsewhere, to ensure that biomass delivers a carbon saving compared to fossil fuels.
Generators must report against these criteria under the Renewables Obligation and the Contracts for Difference schemes on a monthly basis to Ofgem.