Main thesis: Politically administered 'definitions' of CO2-neutrality of biomass combustion[1] are inconclusive, if reproduction of plant matter is not adressed or out of control of the planning subject.

Implications:

(a) If reproduction is not adressed in biophysical terms, contemplation of the results of plant growth becomes metaphysical. The officially mandated definiton saying that the combustion of biomass is CO2-neutral, insofar as plant matter by combustion only releases carbon in the same amount as has been bound in it from atmospheric CO2[2]  lacks any reference to time. It may, thus, be applied to fossil fuels, too. The aim of defining CO2-neutral burning of biomass is, however, to make a demarcation against fossil fuels.[3] Hence, the metaphysical definition of CO2-neutrality is inconclusive regarding knowledge on the transition from fossil fuels to renewable and sustainable energy and thus on how to curb climate impacts from carbon-containing energy supply.

(b) When following the myth of wholesale carbon neutrality, planning subjects may be set out of control (or hindered in establishing it) over the reproduction of specific plant matter and its biodiversity impacts - especially the chain from forests to harvested wood with its long periods of reproduction. The historical (re-)expansion of forests in industrialised countries being conditioned by use of fossil fuels (RCD 2009a),  expanded wood use in order to (re-)substitute it for fossil energy can, therefore, become a threat against forests. Because of a lower energy-efficiency of biomass (RCD2009b) it also threatens climate policies by creating a net carbon debt. It has, thus, to be shown in time-profiles, when rising CO2-sinks in forests may reach a break-even point (Manomet  2009, Johanneum Research 2009). Finally, the probability of forests becoming carbon sources rises with expected levels of global temperature increase (Fischlin 2007, IUFRO 2009).

References can be supplied

[1]   As in the Danish Law on CO2-kvotas.

[2]   Written answers from several Danish authorities, including the Ministry of Climate and the City of Copenhagen.

[3]   It is an agreed goal of Danish politics to phase out fossil fuels and a proposal how to do this has been worked out by the official Climate Commission in its report of autumn 2010.