Narrative
The project’s overall objective is to support EU Member States to shift to a low-carbon and resilient economy by ensuring that solid biomass is produced and used sustainably at all levels. The main focus of the project is forestry biomass harvested for energy production, but it also includes the sustainability aspect of non-forestry solid biomass, like agricultural residues. The project targets the multiple negative trends connected to the energy utilization of solid biomass: the climate impact, the pressure on biodiversity, air pollution and energy poverty. The project aims to reach the overall objective through three pillars: national level policy advocacy (national biomass panels, stronger sustainability criteria, energy modelling, recommendations for the revision of climate plans); local level best practices (knowledge sharing and action hubs, municipality toolset.), and replication and transfer, making an impact beyond the target countries and involved municipalities (via online guidelines, webinars, conferences). The project’s intensive communication targets the professional stakeholders and the general public (especially firewood users) as well, with communication tools including newsletters, infographic, audio-visuals and articles. The project partners include WWF Hungary, Energy Agency of Plovdiv, Habitat for Humanity (Hfh) Bulgaria, Hfh Hungary, HfH Romania, WWF Bulgaria, WWF Romania. The project takes on the interim result of the EUKI-funded „Biomass Sustainability Criteria for Renewable Energy in CEE” (BIOSCREEN CEE) project.
Financial data
Total: EUR 1,52 M EU contribution: EUR 0,83 M (55%)
Recommendations
It is recommended to support initiatives which address critical energy production issues - such as the sustainable use of biomass - with a holistic and integrative approach, including the climate impact, the pressure on biodiversity, air pollution and energy poverty, and including multiple stakeholders.
Transboudary cooperation in CEE countries can be very efficient in many subjects (including the use of solid fuels) as these countries share many common historical, geographical, cultural features, therefore successful pilots and practices can be multiplied easily in the region.
The involvement of well-estabished NGOs with a strong professional background bring a valuable, politically independent and cost-efficient contribution to EU funded projects.
