A new Australian government investment of nearly AUD 53 million will help a Tasmanian company burn forest waste and used tires in a cement kiln. The article argues this is poor climate policy because burning biomass releases carbon dioxide quickly, while regrowth takes decades or centuries to reabsorb it. It notes that about half of tree biomass is carbon, so burning a tonne of wood emits roughly a tonne of CO2. The piece contrasts biomass with truly clean alternatives like concentrated solar power for industrial heat. It also points out that forest waste is not waste but critical habitat and carbon storage. The article is a clear case study in why biomass burning can be counterproductive for decarbonization, especially when public subsidies are involved.
