Emission reduction

Using biomass resources for energy production in a modern and efficient way provides the opportunity for many people, in both developing and developed countries, to have an improved quality of life.

In several developing countries, mainly in Africa, biomass covers almost 90% of the total energy consumption, most of which is firewood collected and used by the rural population. The use of firewood at the domestic scale in old and inefficient cooking stoves or open fires can often lead to health problems. The obvious solution, representing a clear win-win situation, is the introduction of appropriate wood stove technology and thus considerably decreasing the emission and improving human health, but also reducing the demand for firewood, which is often scarce.

In developed countries, biofuels can play a crucial role in reducing the traffic emissions and the resulting pollution in densely populated urban areas. The substitution of mineral diesel with biodiesel and gasoline with bioethanol results in increased air quality, which will in turn insure a lower health risk associated with air pollution. The emission reduction of particulates, carbon monoxides and sulphur oxides is especially important because of the prominent role they play in public health risks, especially in urban areas where the acute effects of these pollutants may be greater.

Fossil fuels are a significant source of air pollution		Inefficient use of biomass causes indoor air pollution and health problems		Converting public transport to biofuels can have a significant influence on air quality in large urban areas