CLA48 - Biomass: green energy from forestry and agriculture as an enterprise

Climate change is one of the biggest issues facing the world in the 21st Century. Government has introduced a range of policies designed to reduce man's impact on the rate of change.

Since the first publication of the CLA biomass handbook in 2002, the CLA has continued to lobby Government for better support policies for biomass energy with a wide range of partners. We are proud to have been successful in driving biomass energy up the agenda, and to have been involved in the development of Government policy for renewables.  We worked with the Biomass Task Force which reported to Government in 2005 and sit on the Biomass Implementation Advisory Group.

As a result, much has changed in the statutory and fiscal regimes that surround the prospects for renewable energy from biomass, and current Government policy and these supports are covered in the handbook.

While energy crops have taken a back seat owing to the recent rise in arable prices, the correction imposed by rising inputs bills may offer an opportunity where they offer a fit with farming systems. The handbook covers the main crops, and provides advice on the likely costs and returns as well as the wider implications of growing them.

The appendices cover matters to be considered when drafting energy crop supply contracts, a list of larger scale outlets seeking biomass fuel supplies, and a brief reference of contact details for biomass equipment suppliers.

The opportunities for members are real: many far-sighted individuals are already benefiting from lower heating bills and warmer houses than they have enjoyed for many years. Others have gone further and are making a business from biomass, in supplying heat to their tenants and others. This handbook flags up the opportunities and sets out the assistance and support measures available.

To order this handbook:

telephone the CLA Publications Department on 020 7235 0511 – please have your membership and credit card numbers to hand;

or

write to the CLA Publications Department, 16 Belgrave Square, London, SW1X 8PQ enclosing cheque/postal orders made payable to CLA.

Price for members: £29 - Price for non-members: £36