Integrated climate assessment: Understanding the trade-offs and interactions of climate effects for forest biomass in Sweden

Understanding the climate impact of different forest biomass paths is paramount for the implementation of appropriate policy measures. The purpose of the project is to improve the effectiveness of reaching the climate targets by advancing our understanding of climate impacts of using biomass, especially trade-offs and interactions of climate effects between the biophysical and economical systems

The project is interested in exploring the climate impact of biomass from different industrial uses (up-stream value-chains) and various carbon sequestration options. To answer the research question and to integrate the complexity intrinsic to the different biomass paths, we apply an integrated assessment approach on the use of forest biomass. In other words, we integrate all sectors using biomass, policy areas, ecosystem services and forest management systems with a high spatial resolution and dynamic aspects. New knowledge will be generated on the potential of product substitution and bioenergy, biomass pathways that effectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions and exploit synergies with other sectors and on policy options facilitating successful technical and market-based development.

About the project

The project is funded by Formas and spans four years ending in December 2024. The project involves Professor Robert Lundmark and the PhD student Oscar Piña, both affiliated with the Division of Social Sciences at Luleå University of Technology.