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Drax has appointed an independent advisory board to consult on its sourcing of biomass as part of its sustainability policy.
The company said the move would increase its transparency on sourcing and the impacts on the forests and biodiversity in areas it sources biomass.
Sir John Beddington has been invited to chair the board, which will consist of six scientists, academics and forestry experts.
Beddington, a former UK government chief scientific adviser, said he decided to participate because “it’s vital that biomass is sourced sustainably and takes the latest scientific thinking into account.
“As the science evolves, we will make recommendations to ensure that the biomass used at Drax makes a positive contribution to our climate and the environment,” Beddington said.
However, Sasha Stashwick, a senior advocate at Natural Resources Defense Council, criticised the move.
She said: “Greenwashing and outside advisors can’t get around the core reality that cutting down trees and burning the wood for electricity degrades forests, threatens wildlife and worsens our climate crisis. If Drax was serious about wanting to use the `latest science,’ it would end its use of harmful biomass energy. The science is clear, and no amount of satellite imagery or sham `sustainability’ certification can justify shipping millions of tons of trees in from around the world to burn as fuel for electricity generation.”
Drax was criticised earlier this year with campaigners from Biofuelwatch protesting the company’s “disastrous impacts of its biomass, coal and gas burning on climate, forests and communities”.
That followed a bid in March to stop the European Commission treating forest grown wood as a renewable source of energy.
The board will advise on best practices for procurement of biomass; feedstock options, sourcing decisions related to both forest science and forest carbon science; and how to meet societal expectations for sustainability and responsibility.
Drax said the recommendations made by the board will be used to inform its sourcing choices and the company hopes to provide a blueprint for other biomass users to follow.
The board will host meetings, which Drax will be invited to participate in and hear the advice. After each meeting a written report of the board’s conclusions and recommendations will be presented to Drax for the company to respond to ahead of the next meeting.
Drax Group chief executive Will Gardiner said: “With stronger policies in place and an independent board to challenge us every step of the way, we will be setting the standard for others to follow, which is important as sustainable biomass plays an increasing role in addressing climate change.”
Drax’s said its sustainability policy is based on European Climate Foundation recommendations and draws on a report from The Forest Research, which suggested 15 criteria for sustainable delivery of biomass taking environmental outcomes into account. These included sourcing biomass from areas associated with activities to conserve and enhance forest growth and productivity, and a commitment not to take from sources that lead to deforestation.
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