Diverting residual biomass to energy use: Quantifying the global warming potential of biogenic <scp> CO ₂ </scp> ( <scp> GWP _bCO2 </scp> )

To calculate the global warming potential of biogenic carbon dioxide emissions (GWPbCO2) associated with diverting residual biomass to bioenergy use, decay annual pulses into atmosphere over 100 years was compared between use for energy and its business-as-usual decomposition in agricultural, forestry, or landfill sites. Bioenergy increased atmospheric CO2 load all cases, resulting a 100GWPbCO2 (units g CO2e/g released) 0.003 fast-decomposing agricultural residues 0.029 slow, 0.084–0.625 forest residues, 0.368–0.975 lignocellulosic biomass. In comparison, from fossil fuels have 100GWP 1.0 (CO2e/g CO2). The fast rate corresponding low values make them more climate-friendly feedstock production relative This study shows that released combustion biofuels made has greenhouse gas footprint should be considered assessing climate impacts.