Bio Screen CEE

As a result of coal phase-out, many residents in the Central and Eastern Europe region turn to raw firewood as heating material. This causes an expansion of commercial-scale biomass use. Due to a lack of biomass sustainability criteria in the national and local policies, ineffective biomass utilisation has serious implications for the region’s climate, forests, and local communities.

Eco-Briketts made from waste by-product at the Plimob factory in Sarasau are used as fire fuel. Photo: (c) James Morgan/WWF

In order to prevent an increase in forestry biomass usage, Bio Screen CEE advanced policy implementation in the energy sector in Bulgaria, Hungary, and Romania. To this end, the project evaluated energy use plans and their deficiencies. Based on the obtained data, stakeholders recommended appropriate alternatives to forest biomass to firewood-dependent municipalities and advocated these alternatives to national policy makers. Furthermore, the project introduced biomass sustainability criteria which went beyond those in the European Renewable Energy Directive II (REDII). Through such adaptation and subsequent implementation of REDII, complemented by national energy and climate plans, the project contributed significantly to achieving EU climate targets.

• Sound analyses for sustainable biomass: National and regional analyses and case studies for three pilot municipalities provided a reliable basis for decision-making on sustainable biomass use. Local data collection and the modelling of alternative energy scenarios offered municipalities clear options for climate-friendly energy production and emission reductions.
• Dialogues promote policy-making: In Bulgaria and Hungary, dialogues with national authorities, NGOs and business partners on sustainable biomass use were initiated within the project framework. This strengthened policy-making capacities and provided practical recommendations for reducing CO2 emissions.
• Pilot projects for alternative energy scenarios: Two pilot municipalities in Romania developed alternative energy scenarios, modified their energy practices and thus contributed to a measurable reduction in emissions.