Promotion of Production and Utilization in Georgia

For more information: www.ge.undp.org www.biomass.ge

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Global Environment Facility (GEF) have been supporting the production of biomass in Georgia since 2013, in close cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Protection of Georgia.

10 REASONS TO USE UPGRADED sign up to BIOMASS become a member BIOMASS IS: BIOMASS CAN:

1. RENEWABLE SOURCE OF 4. IMPROVE LOCAL ECONOMY 8. REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS ENERGY EMISSIONS

Biomass energy derives from the organic matter, Producing and using biomass creates more jobs than Georgia has an ambitious plan to unconditionally such as wood, crop residues or organic wastes. any other form of fossil or renewable energy. Using reduce its by 15% below biomass reduces the energy costs while the money the Business as Usual scenario (BAU) by 2030. spent on production stays within the local economy. Biomass can play a vital role in achieving this target.

2. LOW 5. INCREASE RURAL DEVELOPMENT 9. REDUCE WASTE

Biomass can enhance rural growth and Biomass is composed of organic materials, such as Using biomass instead of fossil can reduce competitiveness, promote investment in jobs and wood waste, vine pruning and agricultural crops. your carbon footprint. Biomass is considered a low entrepreneurship. Currently, agriculture and Using biomass reduces waste and landfill disposal. carbon emission fuel, as it recycles waste and hunting/forestry represent 9.2% of Georgia’s GDP. absorbs CO during the plant life cycle. 2 Biomass can help promote this sector and increase its share in the national economy.

3. MORE EFFICIENT THAN OTHER 6. HELP PREVENT CLIMATE 10. HELP TO ACHIEVE ENERGY FUELS CHANGE DISASTERS SECURITY

Biomass have 1.5-2 times higher Illegal logging destroys our forests, causes land Georgia still depends on imports for its heat, power temperature than wood, as it has a low degradation, landslides and flooding. The use of and transport fuels. Imported natural gas and oil moister content and high density. Unlike firewood, sustainable biomass can prevent this harmful currently account for 73% of our total primary energy biomass briquettes do not require drying as they process, ease pressure on forests and supply, 41% of which is natural gas, 26% is oil are produced at a water content of around 10%, consequently lessen negative impacts of climate products, and 2% is . Shifting for renewable compared to around 50% water for freshly felled change. energy sources, such as biomass, can gradually trees. transform the energy sector in Georgia, making it greener, stronger and more secure. Through combustion 7. HELP CONSERVE Atmospheric of biomass CO2 is released back into the BIODIVERSITY (CO ) atmosphere Firewood remains a primary source of energy used for heating and cooking in the rural areas of Georgia. Using sustainable biomass can change

that and save2 forests, plants and animals for our Plants absorb CO2 children. and convert it into new biomass