Biogenic CO2 encompasses carbon found in wood, paper, grass clippings, and other biofuels. This carbon was initially taken from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and would naturally return as CO2 through degradation processes. Adhering to the GHG Protocol guidelines, SIMAP distinguishes biogenic carbon emissions and deems them carbon neutral.
This implies that biogenic emissions remain carbon neutral and don’t contribute to your overall greenhouse gas footprint. Nevertheless, it is advisable, in accordance with GHG Protocol recommendations, to include the reporting of biogenic emissions for a thorough and transparent assessment.
How are Biogenic Emissions Calculated?
The latest SIMAP 2020 emission factors now offer the ability to access and tailor these emission factors. Previously, these factors were calculated in the background without customization options.
The calculation of biogenic CO2 emission factors involves determining the percentage of CO2 emission factors specific to each relevant biogenic source. In SIMAP’s calculations, the biogenic percentages applied were as follows:
- Wood chips, and grass and wood – 100% biogenic
- Distillate & Residual bioheat – 20% biogenic
- B100 – 100% biogenic
- E85 – 74% biogenic
- B20 – 20% Biogenic
- B5 – 5% Biogenic
- Incinerated Waste – 53% biogenic
- Ethanol – 100% biogenic
If you’re interested, you can check out these emission factors, by simply choosing biogenic from the emission type drop-down on the emission factors page.
What are the Sources of Biogenic Carbon Emissions?
These emissions arise from natural sources and must be considered in photochemical grid models because they play a widespread and constant role in shaping background air chemistry. While these models commonly incorporate emissions from vegetation and soils, other significant sources are
- volcanic emissions,
- lightning, and
- sea salt.
Calculating biogenic carbon emissions usually involves a model that considers spatial details on vegetation, land use, temperature, and solar radiation. The inputs for the model are typically spatially distributed data, and the outcomes are gridded biogenic emissions. These emissions can then be further analyzed and employed as input for photochemical grid models.
Recommended: What is Anaerobic Lagoon?
