The UK gives billions to energy companies that burn trees for electricity, harming our climate and forests around the world.
Cut Carbon Not Forests is a campaign to stop handouts to this dirty and destructive industry.
What needs to change?
UK leaders say they’re committed to tackling climate change and protecting nature, but billions in subsidies for biomass electricity lead to massive carbon emissions and harms forests.
We deserve a coherent approach to these serious threats–not more of hypocrisy and waste. Dirty biomass subsidies must end now.
We are in a global climate and biodiversity crisis. Biomass electricity drives both.
Wood harvest for biomass harms forests and the wildlife that depends on them. Power stations that burn wood also emit massive amounts of heat-trapping carbon dioxide, fueling more climate chaos.
Instead of billions more in dirty biomass subsidies, the Government must prioritise renewables like solar and wind, which are well-proven and guarantee real emissions cuts at a fraction of the cost.
Nearly 13 million tons of CO2
Drax alone emitted just over 13 million tons of CO2 from burning wood in 2024.
8.5 million metric tons of pellets from overseas forests
In 2024, the UK imported 9.6 million metric tons of wood pellets—more than any other country in the world.
Most came from the United States, where an area of woodland roughly the size of the New Forest is logged to meet just a portion of UK demand. The UK also imports wood pellets from Estonia, Latvia, Canada, Brazil, Portugal and other countries.
£3 million a day in subsidies
The UK gave Drax £893 million in subsidies in 2024, or £2.4 million per day.
By 2027, billpayers will have spent £13 billion in direct support to biomass-burning plants (including £10bn just for Drax).
What can you do?
Help stop the UK from harming our planet’s forests. Sign up here to get updates on how you can take action.
Learn More
Cut Carbon Not Forests and 21 other environmental NGOs tell the UK Government that industrial-scale biomass burning in the power sector threatens climate action and should not be subsidised.
Over 650 scientists signed a letter saying that world leaders must stop using forest biomass due to its impacts on wildlife, which was then covered in the Guardian.
Resources
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Drax biomass subsidies in 2024
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The Burning Question: Should the UK end tax breaks on burning wood for power?
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Wind and solar power could significantly exceed Britain’s energy needs
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Government subsidies for electricity generation and combined heat and power
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Biomass Sourcing in Estonia May Violate UK Sustainability Standards
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UK Biomass Imports Threaten Global Biodiversity
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The Impacts of UK Biomass Imports On Our Planet’s Birdlife
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Over 650 scientists signed a letter calling on world leaders to stop industrial biomass due to its impacts on wildlife
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Global Markets for Bioenergy are Devastating U.S. Forests
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State enforcement actions against southern pellet mills for air permit violations
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