Life Cycle Associates published a landmark Biomass report on Accounting Principles, Alternative Fates, and Verification, available publicly here on our website. The report fills the gap in guidance from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) on waste and residual biomass under the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). The research and results of the report advance the industry by providing clear guidance on biomass to help utilize natural and working lands effectively, while meeting climate goals and mitigating wildfire risk.

Proposed action steps 

The report covers five distinct categories of biomass: energy crops, crop wastes, forest residues, urban landscaping residues, and construction and demolition waste. To overcome the multifaceted challenges tied to waste biomass, the paper proposes a series of immediate actions that CARB can take to advance the utilization of biomass-derived fuels under the LCFS:

• Action 1: Develop a Near-Term Solution for Biogenic Carbon Accounting
• Action 2: Create a Tier 1 Calculator Framework
• Action 3: Establish a Temporary Fuel Pathway Code for Carbon Neutrality
• Action 4: Introduce a Temporary Fuel Pathway Code for Biomass Fuels and CCS
• Action 5: Provide an Initial 10-Year Implementation Period
• Action 6: Establish Biomass Verification Guidelines

Stefan Unnasch, Managing Director of Life Cycle Associates commented:

“We are pleased to publicly release this landmark report on Biomass. Our goal is to advance the scientific methods for the industry, especially given the high priority California has placed on biomass. We provide clear actions for the state to realize the potential of Biomass, within the parameters of the LCFS.”

Accounting Principles, Alternative Fates, and Verification for Biomass

The report features a comprehensive overview of the literature on biomass to energy. It also includes information on the properties of biomass, the alternative fate of biomass, biomass conversion processes, biogenic accounting in other regulated programs, and data sources for biomass emissions factors. This review provides a foundation for the development of policies and regulations for the utilization of biomass-derived fuels under the California LCFS.

Our services

Life Cycle Associates is a trusted partner for clients worldwide, assisting in emissions reduction and environmental impact mitigation. Our expertise lies in life cycle greenhouse gas emission analysis of fuel and energy production pathways, with extensive use of models such as GREET, GTAP, and LEM.

We offer services that include the modification of the California GREET model, development of initial pathway documents for the LCFS, support for fuel pathways under the LCFS, RFS2, and EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED), as well as determining the applicability of Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) provisions.

Please let us know if you have a question or would like further information about Life Cycle Associates’ work and services.