The Mission Innovation (MI) Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Mission, in association with the Technical Track on Biomass Carbon Dioxide Removal and Storage (BiCRS), has made Significant progress in understanding and improving global biomass resources for carbon removal. One of the notable achievements is the creation of two comprehensive databases aimed at facilitating a deeper understanding of biomass resources: the BiCRS Biomass Resource Database and the CEM Biofuture-KDF Data Portal.

The Role of Biomass Carbon Removal and Storage (BiCRS)?

BiCRS focuses on identifying and using biomass for carbon emissions to reduce climate changes. Biomass, obtained from organic materials such as plants and agricultural waste, can be used as renewable energy or to capture and store carbon. With rising concerns about global carbon emissions, accurate and consistent data on available biomass is vital to enhance its use for both energy production and CO2 removal.

In support of this mission, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) developed the International Feedstock Reporting Data Portal (CEM Biofuture-KDF) on behalf of the Clean Energy Ministerial Biofuture Initiative (CEM Biofuture). This initiative, backed by the U.S. Department of Energy, offers a global database of biomass resources aimed at promoting the development of a sustainable bioeconomy.

Data Comparison and Key Findings

A recent review of both databases, which occurred on November 2024, assessed the consistency and compatibility of the data sets. CEM BioFuture-KDF provides a global view of biomass resources, including reports from 62 countries, including projections of future biomass production. In contrast, the MI BiCRS dataset is tailored for the Mission Innovation member countries, focusing on the most recent national data to ensure uniformity and comparability.

Both datasets provide valuable data on biomass, but they vary in scope and approach. CEM Biofuture-KDF involves broader global data and future projections, whereas MI BiCRS focuses on actual data from the year 2020 and current biomass production capacity. Despite these differences, the two sets balance each other, providing a complete picture of global biomass availability.

Global Biomass Mapping and Future Developments

The BiCRS database offers more comprehensive information on the types of biomass available for carbon removal, while the CEM Biofuture-KDF provides a broad range of global estimates. Since both databases are updated regularly, they can inform policymakers, researchers, and industries focused on developing sustainable energy solutions. The ongoing collaboration between the CEM BioFuture Initiative, MI BiCRS, and other global partners plays a significant role in evolving the global bioeconomy and mitigating carbon emissions.

Both the CEM BioFuture-KDF and BiCRS databases are expected to be updated continually, offering a growing resource for biomass data. This collaboration will increase the understanding of biomass resources available for carbon dioxide removal and other bioenergy applications.

As the biomass sector continues to grow, this data set will play a critical role in ensuring that global biomass resources are used effectively and sustainably to meet the challenges of climate change.