WBA news

Date: 01 - 12 November, 2021

Venue: Glasgow, UK

Event Website: Link

The UK hosted the 26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow on 1 – 12 November 2021. The COP26 summit brought parties together to accelerate action towards the goals of the Paris Agreement and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Sustainable bioenergy will play a central role in helping the world achieve Net Zero by mid-century and meeting the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target. The World Bioenergy Association (as an observer to UNFCCC) was delighted to host a series of events at COP26 to explore the importance of sustainability in bioenergy, and bioenergy’s contribution to delivering global Net Zero.

Bridging the gap: Unlocking Net Zero through investment in sustainable bioenergy and BECCS

Date/Time: Tuesday 9th November, 9.00am – 10.30am

Location: Blue Zone (Scottish Events Campus)

A panel of business and policy leaders discussed the role of sustainable bioenergy and BECCS in delivering global Net Zero. Speakers included: The Rt Hon Amber Rudd, Will Gardiner (CEO, Drax Group) and John Keppler (CEO, Enviva). The session was moderated by WBA President Christian Rakos.

WBA Press Conference: Critical role of bioenergy in meeting global net zero

Date/Time: Tuesday 10th November, 16.15 - 16.45 

Location: Press Conference Room Durdle Door, SEC, Glasgow

Global net zero commitments cannot be achieved without significant scale up of bioenergy. In this context, WBA organized a press briefing at COP26 by presenting a global overview on the development of the bioenergy sector and success stories from Lithuania and Finland.

The briefing also included the launch of the program Bioenergy for the Future. The program Bioenergy for the Future developed in collaboration between WBA and ITN Productions combined key sector interviews, informative news items, sponsored editorial profiles to higlhight the critical role of bioenergy in global net zero. 

Watch the briefing here: 

Watch the Bioenergy for the future program below:

Forestry and Net Zero: Protecting and investing in forests

Date/Time: Wednesday 10th November, 9.00am – 10.30am

Location: 200 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5SG

Sustainable management of forests and supply of wood products will be central to protecting forest carbon sinks and the species they support. This event explored how the sustainable forestry sector can play a crucial part in delivering global Net Zero. Followed by morning refreshments.

Ensuring Sustainable Bioenergy: Launching the Glasgow Declaration on Sustainable Bioenergy

Date/Time: Wednesday 10th November, 11.00am – 12.30pm

Location: 200 St Vincent Street, Glasgow, G2 5SG

According to the International Energy Agency, sustainable wood-based bioenergy must increase threefold to meet global Net Zero. This event set out a vision for how the industry can meet this challenge while maintaining its commitment to sustainability. At the same event, the Glasgow Declaration on Sustainable Bioenergy was launched.

Read more about the Glasgow Declaration here: Link