Question to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what steps his Department is taking to measure the carbon dioxide emissions of biomass energy generation plants.

The Department does not estimate emission changes on a differential basis between technologies. The latest provisional carbon dioxide emissions estimates were published in March 2017. “Provisional UK greenhouse gas emissions national statistics 2017” https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/provisional-uk-greenhouse-gas-emissions-national-statistics-2017

However, the UK has among the most stringent biomass sustainability provisions in Europe. Generators only receive subsidies for the electricity output which complies with our sustainability criteria which ensure biomass reduces carbon emissions (including a requirement to demonstrate a minimum 60% lifecycle greenhouse gas saving) and is sourced sustainably.