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Common Biomass Sustainability Framework

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero is developing a Common Biomass Sustainability Framework to strengthen regulations on biomass energy production and ensure imported biomass meets genuine sustainability standards. The framework addresses concerns about carbon accounting, supply chain verification, and the sustainability of biomass as a renewable energy source, particularly given continued government support for Drax power station.

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2026

2 events
27 Feb 2026 | Consultation (closed) linked

consultation closed

We're seeking views on a common biomass sustainability framework to strengthen existing biomass criteria and ensure greater consistency across sectors.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Common biomass sustainability framework: consul… (129pp)
+3 more
↓ Common biomass sustainability framework: analytical annex (37pp) ↓ Common biomass sustainability framework: technical annex (17pp) ↓ Common biomass sustainability framework: consultation docum…

2025

4 events
2 Dec 2025 | Consultation (closed) linked

consultation opened

We're seeking views on a common biomass sustainability framework to strengthen existing biomass criteria and ensure greater consistency across sectors.

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK · ↓ Common biomass sustainability framework: consul… (129pp)
+3 more
↓ Common biomass sustainability framework: analytical annex (37pp) ↓ Common biomass sustainability framework: technical annex (17pp) ↓ Common biomass sustainability framework: consultation docum…

2024

3 events
4 Jan 2024 | Government response linked

A phased introduction of forest risk commodities misses the opportunity to set early and clear expectations that deforestation is not welcome in any UK supply chains. While the Government’s announcement that four major commodities will be brought within initial scope of the Schedule 17 regime is welcome, the failure to include commodities such as maize, rubber and coffee within this scope does not demonstrate the level of urgency required to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation b...

A phased introduction of forest risk commodities misses the opportunity to set early and clear expectations that deforestation is not welcome in any UK supply chains. While the Government’s announcement that four major commodities will be brought within initial scope …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2023

12 events
19 Jul 2023 | Government response linked

There are currently multiple overlapping strategies which purport to articulate the UK Government’s ambitions, actions, and objectives for woodland creation. Stakeholders are concerned that it is unclear how the Government’s policy objectives for forestry and the timber sector align with its land use and decarbonisation policies. Furthermore, it is not clear what will replace the England Trees Action Plan when it lapses in 2024 to give long term direction for Government’s goals for woodlands.

There are currently multiple overlapping strategies which purport to articulate the UK Government’s ambitions, actions, and objectives for woodland creation. Stakeholders are concerned that it is unclear how the Government’s policy objectives for forestry and the timber sector align with …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
19 Jul 2023 | Government response linked

We therefore welcome Defra’s engagement with the forestry, timber and construction sectors in relation to the industry-led National Wood Strategy and through the Timber in Construction working group. It is important that the proposed Timber in Construction Roadmap is published as soon as possible and provides clarity on how the growth of timber, and its use in domestic construction, will be encouraged.

We therefore welcome Defra’s engagement with the forestry, timber and construction sectors in relation to the industry-led National Wood Strategy and through the Timber in Construction working group. It is important that the proposed Timber in Construction Roadmap is published …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
19 Jul 2023 | Government response linked

We further recommend that the Forestry Commission urgently review the resources available to Forestry England so as to ensure that it has sufficient resources to ensure the compliance of woodlands with the UKFS. (Paragraph 166) 80 Seeing the wood for the trees: the contribution of the forestry and timber sectors to biodiversity and net zero goals Using domestically grown timber to contribute to reach net zero

We further recommend that the Forestry Commission urgently review the resources available to Forestry England so as to ensure that it has sufficient resources to ensure the compliance of woodlands with the UKFS. (Paragraph 166) 80 Seeing the wood for …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
19 Jul 2023 | Government response linked

For UK-grown timber to be used in construction, the Government needs to support the sawmilling sector to transition UK production towards producing a higher percentage of construction grade timber products and engineered timber. Action to support this transition should be specifically set out in the Timber in Construction roadmap.

For UK-grown timber to be used in construction, the Government needs to support the sawmilling sector to transition UK production towards producing a higher percentage of construction grade timber products and engineered timber. Action to support this transition should be …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
19 Jul 2023 | Government response linked

The Biomass Strategy, which was promised by the end of 2022, must now be issued as soon as possible. We recommend that the Strategy take a risk-based approach to ensuring the sustainability of biomass use, managing risks on a domestic and a global scale. In preparing the Strategy we recommend that the Government consider the risks associated with life-cycle carbon emissions, land-use trade-offs, impacts on biodiversity and ecosystem service provision, and competition with other uses of biomas...

The Biomass Strategy, which was promised by the end of 2022, must now be issued as soon as possible. We recommend that the Strategy take a risk-based approach to ensuring the sustainability of biomass use, managing risks on a domestic …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
19 Jul 2023 | Government response linked

The amount of biomass used by the UK power sector should be constrained by the supply of low-carbon sustainable feedstocks, factoring in potential domestic supply and rising trends of bioenergy use globally. The Biomass Strategy should set out and quantify the potential of different biomass sources to deliver energy and explain how sufficient sustainability sourced biomass feedstocks will be found, from where, to meet demand required by BECCS, in line with net zero pathways.

The amount of biomass used by the UK power sector should be constrained by the supply of low-carbon sustainable feedstocks, factoring in potential domestic supply and rising trends of bioenergy use globally. The Biomass Strategy should set out and quantify …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
19 Jul 2023 | Government response linked

The Government needs to manage risks associated with the sustainability of feedstock supply through its governance framework for biomass, which must be strengthened. Improvements should include: • All biomass used for large-scale power generation in the UK should be required to adhere to the sustainability criteria set by the UK governance framework. The Government should include in its Biomass Strategy a thorough review of the subsidy regime for biomass. • The woody biomass land criteria sho...

The Government needs to manage risks associated with the sustainability of feedstock supply through its governance framework for biomass, which must be strengthened. Improvements should include: • All biomass used for large-scale power generation in the UK should be required …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
19 Jul 2023 | Government response linked

As demand for biomass feedstock grows globally, sourcing more biomass domestically could increase the security of UK biomass supply. Provided that overharvesting is avoided, bringing a higher proportion of existing forests into active management could provide a source of woody biomass for bioenergy in the UK with added benefits for biodiversity and resilience.

As demand for biomass feedstock grows globally, sourcing more biomass domestically could increase the security of UK biomass supply. Provided that overharvesting is avoided, bringing a higher proportion of existing forests into active management could provide a source of woody …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
19 Jul 2023 | Government response linked

We recommend that the Government conduct an impact assessment of the effects on the delivery the UK’s climate and biodiversity commitments of bringing a higher proportion of existing forests into active management. (Paragraph 229) 82 Seeing the wood for the trees: the contribution of the forestry and timber sectors to biodiversity and net zero goals

We recommend that the Government conduct an impact assessment of the effects on the delivery the UK’s climate and biodiversity commitments of bringing a higher proportion of existing forests into active management. (Paragraph 229) 82 Seeing the wood for the …

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19 Jul 2023 | Government response linked

Short-rotation forestry and short-rotation coppice crops are currently little used, but demand for them is likely to increase. If they are considered to be significant and necessary bioenergy feedstock sources, their planting must be scaled up sustainably, in line with best forestry practices and limited to an appropriate area of land, so as to minimise competition with food crops.

Short-rotation forestry and short-rotation coppice crops are currently little used, but demand for them is likely to increase. If they are considered to be significant and necessary bioenergy feedstock sources, their planting must be scaled up sustainably, in line with …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
19 Jul 2023 | Government response linked

In the forthcoming Biomass Strategy and Land Use Strategy the Government must determine the capacity of the UK to supply bioenergy feedstock from its forest resources—including forest residues, short rotation forestry and coppicing—analysing the risks of drawing upon these resources and modelling land-use trade-offs, particularly in relation to security of food supply and in the context of the biodiversity crisis

In the forthcoming Biomass Strategy and Land Use Strategy the Government must determine the capacity of the UK to supply bioenergy feedstock from its forest resources—including forest residues, short rotation forestry and coppicing—analysing the risks of drawing upon these resources …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK
19 Jul 2023 | Government response linked

We recommend that the Forestry Commission, as the Government’s experts on forestry, work with Ofgem to share best forestry practice. The objective of this collaboration ought to be to ensure that, should demand for domestic wood biomass in energy markets increase, the regulatory framework for bioenergy feedstocks derived from forestry crops and silvicultural activities is developed in line with principles of sustainable forestry. The collaboration ought to be undertaken in full recognition of...

We recommend that the Forestry Commission, as the Government’s experts on forestry, work with Ofgem to share best forestry practice. The objective of this collaboration ought to be to ensure that, should demand for domestic wood biomass in energy markets …

▤ View document · ↗ GOV.UK

2021

2 events