Carbon balances of woody biomass for energy in the ECE region

The growing interest in deepening knowledge on adverse environmental side effects associated with the exploitation of renewable resources for energy, especially biomass, is triggering the need for determining factors that contribute to climate change. This study outlines the main differences in assumptions and framework conditions concerning the carbon balances of woody biomass for energy in the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) region, with the attempt of reconciling them and establishing a harmonized approach to assessing carbon accounting in forest systems and addressing climate change.