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This policy outlines Drax’s global approach to sourcing biomass responsibly. It is evidenced that, when sourced sustainably, biomass can help make a positive contribution to achieving net zero, providing a source of renewable dispatchable power and carbon removals, which will both be needed in the fight against climate change1.
Drax therefore recognises its responsibility to be a leader in sourcing biomass sustainably to deliver climate, nature and people positive outcomes across the supply chain.
This policy governs all the biomass we handle including:
Central to our approach, is that biomass sourcing delivers against three core principles: to enable climate, nature and people positive outcomes. Underpinning these principles, is our commitment to compliance and robust traceability whilst conducting open stakeholder engagement. This approach builds on requirements defined in legislation and utilises robust independent third-party certification standards to provide assurance that biomass is sourced responsibly.
This means Drax will only source woody biomass from well-managed, sustainable forests including sawmill residues, low-grade roundwood and forest residues where these promote forest health or reduce the risk of fire or disease. Drax will also utilise alternative feedstocks such as agricultural residues
1 https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.12844 https://www.iea.org/energy-system/renewables/bioenergy https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg3/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGIII_FullReport.pdf