Chapter 2 – Comparison of Forest Biomass Supply Chains From the Boreal and Temperate Biomes

The level of mobilisation of forest biomass supply chains varies widely among countries of the boreal and temperate biomes; it depends on the ability of forest biomass to be harvested, collected, processed and delivered to end-users and markets in a manner that is competitive with other energy sources, notably fossil fuels. Within each country, the mobilisation of forest biomass is affected by individuals, businesses and organisations who are interested in exploring economic opportunities, and who must operate within the constraints of policy, market and technological realities. There is also significant variation among countries in the share of the forest sector occupied by bioenergy and in the degree to which bioenergy is integrated (or not) within the basket of wood products, in terms of strategic and operational decision-making. This wide variability in conditions among countries represents a challenge when attempting to make meaningful, applicable recommendations for mobilising forest biomass, but also represents an opportunity. Cross-regional and international synergies among stakeholders and markets with different but complementary characteristics can facilitate technology transfer and improve efficiency along the entire supply chain; this could, in turn, result in large collective gains to global biomass mobilisation.