Local Action Plans for Biomass Development

POLI-BIOMASS – Development of local policies among local governments that encourage the use of biomass

The use of biomass is in many cases transforming what can be considered by some a waste into a resource. To this is added the advantage of reducing CO2 emissions and to boost local employment in rural areas. However, to make biomass competitive in the energy market it is essential to have the support and encouragement of government at national, regional and local level.

Therefore, we must develop, promote and encourage local policies that favour the use of biomass to ensure that their benefits are direct and immediate. This requires knowing that energy policies are being promoted in Europe, especially in countries with large biomass development in recent years: Denmark, Germany, Netherlands … countries that have recently increased their share: Austria, Hungary, Slovakia or countries with problems in developing bioenergy: Romania, Greece, Spain… (Data from the COM (2009) 192).

The POLI-Biomass Project is working to

- review the status of energy policies in Europe and identify best practice

- develop local action plans in three municipalities in Europe

- exchange experiences and knowledge amongst partners and relevant stakeholders.

The project has completed a survey of relevant policies across the EU – available here –  O5 Study of the local policies_Executive summary

The TEA will now start work on developing a local action plan for South Tipperary using the Guidelines developed by the project - O11 Model for micro-local biomass action plan_general

The TEA has produced a simple fact sheet on wood energy: Wood for heat info sheet

More information about the project can be found here

- Website: http://www.bioenarea.eu/index.php?q=node/220

- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/POLI-BIOMASS/193413957359031

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