Wood residues – the materials left over when trees are logged and processed – hold the potential to support resource-efficient energy access, revitalize rural economies and help mitigate climate change, according to this new report from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). In many countries, wood residues are seen as low-value materials and are often discarded, or used as fuel for heating or cooking. If used in open fires or rustic ovens, this may result in air pollution and health problems. The role of wood residues in the transition to sustainable bioenergy, produced in collaboration with Canada’s Laval University, instead explores the potential for converting wood residues into modern bioenergy such as wood pellets and wood-based gaseous or liquid energy carriers. These can be used to generate heat and electricity for local use or fed into the power grids.
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