Sustainable Biomass Production for Energy Strategies in Asia: A Review for Legal and Social Aspects

Abstract:

Currently, the use of Renewable Energy (RE) has been encouraged in many countries because of its sustainability and environmental benefits. One of RE source that is considered as the largest energy potential is biomass. A study of biomass' potential availability with its current usage on a worldwide level reveals that around two-fifths of the existing biomass energy potential has been used. Most area of the world use biomass below the available potential. Only for Asia does the current use exceeds its potential. Therefore, increased biomass usage in current practice is possible in many countries. Many studies suggest an alternative solution to cover future demand for renewable energy by increasing utilisation of forest residues and waste from the wood processing industry, i.e. densified biofuels production.

In developing countries of Asia, as in industrialized ones, bioenergy will play a complementary role in conjunction with other renewables. Modern bioenergy use provides opportunities for creating jobs in rural areas, increasing the degree of comprehensive energy coverage, reducing import dependency and "“ through the use of more efficient technologies "“ reducing deforestation and energy-linked greenhouse gas emissions. Biomass production should always follow principles of sustainability. This paper specifically examines the role of biomass in developing countries of Asia; it describes some effects of biomass production for energy within social and economic contexts giving information for the existing policy.