Can Wood Pellets from Canada’s Boreal Forest Reduce Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Energy Generation in the UK?

We present the results of a study on climate forcing effects replacing coal for power generation in United Kingdom (UK) with wood pellets produced northern Ontario, Canada. Continuous pellet production from two biomass sources were considered: fiber increased harvesting standing live trees (stemwood scenario) and harvest residue provided by ongoing operations (residue scenario). In both scenarios, was collected forest management units (FMUs) contrasting treatments: natural decay slash piles Hearst FMU pile burning Kenora FMU. Life cycle emissions associated assessed production, transportation, combustion to replace at hypothetical generating station UK. Greenhouse gas (GHG) removals scenarios using methods: global warming potential (GWP)-based mass balance dynamic life assessment (LCA) approaches. stemwood scenario, change mitigation not achieved within timeline (2020–2100). immediate sourced where current practice is burn piles; FMU, allowed decompose forest, occurred 11.6 3.1 years after collection began, as LCA methods, respectively. Factors affecting studied are discussed.