Canada requires a comprehensive national strategy to guide the role of biomass in achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, according to researchers at Polytechnique Montréal's Institut de l'Énergie Trottier.
Normand Mousseau, director of the institute, and research professional Roberta Dagher argue that despite Canada's abundant biomass resources from forests and agricultural lands, the country lacks a cohesive vision for managing these materials in the climate transition.
Record forest fires, underutilised agricultural residues and struggling sawmills have created significant biomass availability across Canada.
However, the sectors face mounting pressures from American tariffs on forest products (reaching 45 per cent on Canadian lumber) and climate disasters including the 8.3 million hectares burnt during Canada's second-worst wildfire season in 2025.
The researchers highlight that biomass can support decarbonisation through multiple pathways: replacing fossil fuels, creating sustainable construction materials, producing biochar for carbon sequestration, and enabling bioenergy with carbon capture and storage.
Recent modelling suggests these approaches could sequester up to 94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually if biomass resources were strategically allocated.
Recent Canadian projects demonstrate growing industry interest, including the country's first industrial-scale biochar plant in Québec and the Strathcona refinery's renewable diesel facility in Alberta.
However, the climate benefits of biomass are not automatic, the researchers warn.
Outcomes depend on harvesting practices, conversion efficiency, transportation fuel use and which products are being replaced. Poor allocation decisions could result in marginal or even negative climate impacts.
While Canada has developed frameworks including the Renewed Forest Bioeconomy Framework (2022) and the Canadian Bioeconomy Strategy (2019), these lack the integrated approach needed to define biomass's role across energy and non-energy sectors.
Industry voices have echoed the call for clearer direction. Bioindustrial Innovation Canada has recommended revising the national bioeconomy strategy with measurable targets for cross-departmental coordination and a defined roadmap for industry-government collaboration.
The researchers suggest Canada could model a biomass strategy on its Canadian Hydrogen Strategy, using integrated modelling to assess potential across different economic sectors at regional and national scales.
"For future projects to truly contribute to Canada's climate goals, a coherent national vision is needed now," the researchers concluded.
The study was supported by Environment and Climate Change Canada's Climate Action and Awareness Fund and conducted for the Carbon Neutrality Advisory Group.
