Green Infrastructure to Combat Climate Change: A Framework for ...

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Providing Low
Carbon Fuels
Replacing fossil fuels with lower carbon alternatives,
including bioenergy (e.g. solid biomass, liquid
biofuels, and biogas) could help to mitigate climate
change. In the North West of England, under
managed and unmanaged woodlands offer a
significant resource for woodfuel. Within the next
five years sustainably-produced woodfuel has the
potential to save the equivalent of approximately
7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per
year by replacing fossil fuels in the UK 43 . There are
also opportunities in the North West of England for
other energy crops, and wind and hydro energy.
This can all make a contribution to meeting the UK’s
renewable energy targets and to the development of
a low carbon economy.
For other good practice see:
Case Study 12 (Cheshire)
Off Gas Grid Study
This study identified companies in Cheshire
and Warrington that are off the gas grid
and contacted them to raise awareness of
alternative lower carbon heating technologies,
the Renewable Heat Incentive, and
opportunities around this in terms of saving
costs on heating and generating an income.
Businesses that are part of the rural fuel or
energy supply chain were also contacted. The
study found that the Renewable Heat Incentive
makes installing biomass boilers more
attractive, however, there are no accredited
‘Microgeneration Certification Scheme’ (an
internationally recognised quality assurance
scheme) biomass installers in the North West
of England. The study highlights supply chain
issues and provides recommendations to
enhance biomass uptake.
www.cwea.org.uk/cheshire-warrington-gas-grid-study
The BIONIC project addressed the issues of biofuel supply and use in
transport specifically from the perspective of local authorities
www.bionic-project.eu
The Biomass Energy Centre has lots of information and case studies
www.biomassenergycentre.org.uk
43. Read et al (2009). Combating climate change: a role for UK forests.
The Synthesis Report. The Stationery Office. www.tsoshop.co.uk/gempdf/
Climate_Change_Synthesis_Report.pdf
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