Final Report Summary - CEUBIOM (CLASSIFICATION OF EUROPEAN BIOMASS POTENTIAL FOR BIOENERGY USING TERRESTRIAL AND EARTH OBSERVATIONS)
Executive Summary:
The need to provide comparable and compatible biomass datasets on a national level has become imperative in Europe. Member states are explicitly encouraged by the EC to develop national biomass action plans. A uniform methodology for assessing bioenergy will be needed for a European-level aggregation of data and statistics. CEUBIOM intended to contribute to these efforts by focusing on the public sector (i.e. national governments and municipalities) with the mission to propose a framework for bioenergy assessment methodology that could be taken up by the authorities with a relatively small effort. If such a single ‘core’ assessment method is accepted the results could then be easily aggregated to European level allowing for a much more accurate comparison between the Member States and also a very accurate estimation of potentials for Europe as a whole.
Accordingly, the overall objective of the CEUBIOM project has been to propose a common methodology for gathering information on biomass potential using terrestrial and earth observations. The project deployed a systematic work programme to achieve this objective that started with the assessment of current practices in biomass assessment and resulted in a conceptual framework for harmonisation. Special focus has been given to assessing the conditions in the Western Balkan Countries (WBCs) and to satisfy the needs of the stakeholders from this region. In order to reach this objective a careful review has been necessary as to what elements of the general biomass assessment framework are suitable for harmonisation in the target countries, requiring some rather difficult compromises. The Consortium implemented a focused and pragmatic work plan where the ultimate goal was to propose a specific core method as opposed to simply reviewing the various possibilities.
The Consortium explicitly considered it to be its mission to raise awareness of the scientific community to new biomass applications and especially to the use of remote sensing. The main tool for this has been the project website, which has both an extensive public section with information for visitors and a well-working intranet for the exchange of files and information within the Consortium members. Promotion activities included newsletters, and an intense participation in international events, conferences and workshops, where the project was presented to the European audience. An elearning programme has been developed to facilitate the quick takeup of project results and to serve as a single entry point for those, who wish to learn more about bioenergy and biomass-related EO applications.
CEUBIOM has delivered a first proposal for a harmonized biomass potential assessment framework for bio-energy in Europe. It should be considered as a basis for continuing discussion and a guideline for developing the details and technical specifications that would be needed for implementation and European deployment. The next step should be the development of the specifications of the foreseen products followed by the actual implementation of the method(s) in one or more countries and/or regions throughout Europe. The lessons to be learned from such implementation exercise could be used to revise the original product range and their specifications eventually resulting in strict (but realistic) guidelines as to the methods used and type of data generated in national bioenergy surveys. It is a proposal of the CEUBIOM Consortium that the actual harmonisation is carried out in several steps combined with implementation monitoring before a new phase is enforced.
Project Context and Objectives, Project Results, Potential Impact, List of Websites: see attached document.
The need to provide comparable and compatible biomass datasets on a national level has become imperative in Europe. Member states are explicitly encouraged by the EC to develop national biomass action plans. A uniform methodology for assessing bioenergy will be needed for a European-level aggregation of data and statistics. CEUBIOM intended to contribute to these efforts by focusing on the public sector (i.e. national governments and municipalities) with the mission to propose a framework for bioenergy assessment methodology that could be taken up by the authorities with a relatively small effort. If such a single ‘core’ assessment method is accepted the results could then be easily aggregated to European level allowing for a much more accurate comparison between the Member States and also a very accurate estimation of potentials for Europe as a whole.
Accordingly, the overall objective of the CEUBIOM project has been to propose a common methodology for gathering information on biomass potential using terrestrial and earth observations. The project deployed a systematic work programme to achieve this objective that started with the assessment of current practices in biomass assessment and resulted in a conceptual framework for harmonisation. Special focus has been given to assessing the conditions in the Western Balkan Countries (WBCs) and to satisfy the needs of the stakeholders from this region. In order to reach this objective a careful review has been necessary as to what elements of the general biomass assessment framework are suitable for harmonisation in the target countries, requiring some rather difficult compromises. The Consortium implemented a focused and pragmatic work plan where the ultimate goal was to propose a specific core method as opposed to simply reviewing the various possibilities.
The Consortium explicitly considered it to be its mission to raise awareness of the scientific community to new biomass applications and especially to the use of remote sensing. The main tool for this has been the project website, which has both an extensive public section with information for visitors and a well-working intranet for the exchange of files and information within the Consortium members. Promotion activities included newsletters, and an intense participation in international events, conferences and workshops, where the project was presented to the European audience. An elearning programme has been developed to facilitate the quick takeup of project results and to serve as a single entry point for those, who wish to learn more about bioenergy and biomass-related EO applications.
CEUBIOM has delivered a first proposal for a harmonized biomass potential assessment framework for bio-energy in Europe. It should be considered as a basis for continuing discussion and a guideline for developing the details and technical specifications that would be needed for implementation and European deployment. The next step should be the development of the specifications of the foreseen products followed by the actual implementation of the method(s) in one or more countries and/or regions throughout Europe. The lessons to be learned from such implementation exercise could be used to revise the original product range and their specifications eventually resulting in strict (but realistic) guidelines as to the methods used and type of data generated in national bioenergy surveys. It is a proposal of the CEUBIOM Consortium that the actual harmonisation is carried out in several steps combined with implementation monitoring before a new phase is enforced.
Project Context and Objectives, Project Results, Potential Impact, List of Websites: see attached document.
