RCI-Report: Balancing Biomass Production and Biodiversity Protection for the Bioeconomy (PDF)

The transition towards a climate-neutral bioeconomy requires a substantial increase in the use of biomass as a renewable carbon source. However, this expansion must take place within ecological boundaries. Biodiversity loss, soil degradation and ecosystem instability pose direct risks not only to environmental integrity but also to the long-term productivity and resilience of biomass supply systems.

Contrary to popular belief, the production of biomass and the conservation of biodiversity are not mutually exclusive objectives. In fact, maintaining long-term productivity requires biodiversity conservation.

The Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) has commissioned nova-Institute with the Kieler Institut für Europäische Landwirtschaftsstudien (KIELS) and Peterson Solutions as subcontractor to compile, analyse and identify best-practice measures for agriculture and forestry in order to reconcile biodiversity protection with sustainable biomass production.

The report also includes a section with policy-oriented recommendations to strengthen the ecological and economic foundations of a resilient bioeconomy, contributing to an independent, climate-friendly and sustainable Europe.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.52548/SINY5262

Authors

Anke Schwarzenberger, Michael Carus, nova-Institute/Renewable Carbon Initiative Marlene E. Noack, Florian Tietjens, Uwe Latacz-Lohmann, Kieler Institut für Europäische Landwirtschaftsstudien (KIELS, DE) Susanne Henne, Karolina Niemenoja, Astrid M. Wodschow, Casandra Ferrazzini, Paola Monzón, Peterson Solutions

Date of publication

Nov 2026

Pages

133

Language

File type

PDF

Downloads

13

Topics

Policy, Sustainability & Health

Renewable Carbon Types

Bio-based