Forest Bioenergy in the Protected Mediterranean Areas
ForBioEnergy is an innovative and ambitious project because it bets on the sustainable development of the rural areas using the forest biomass of the protected areas as driving force.
Most of the forest areas are included in the protected areas, so, they represent a great opportunity for the production of sustainable energy from biomass. But the current regulatory restrictions as well as the lack of appropriate plans impede and slow down the forest biomass exploitation.
And this is exactly the overall objective of the project: fostering the bio-energy production in the protected areas providing transnational solutions for reducing barriers that hinder the development of the sector and planning models in order to exploit the full potential of biomass and at the same time to preserve the biodiversity of the natural areas.
This objective will be achieved through the definition of:
- An Action Plan for shaping new regulatory framework and permit route aimed at removing technical and administrative barriers that hinder the energy use of biomass.
- A multi-level planning process: regional, local and operating.
- A set of sustainability requirements and quality standards of forest biomass.
Project activities will be implemented through a transnational process for highlighting the most significant gaps as well as the best practices. Furthermore key actors (who propose/change norms, regulations and plans, and who deal with bioenergy and biodiversity issues) will be actively involved.