Biomass is generally regarded as...

any carbon-based material such as animal (including human) waste, plant material, food waste, algae and industrial waste which when processed can produce organic fuels.

Sources of biomass include:‍

• wastewater treatment plants
• landfill sites
• pulp and paper industries
• wood mills and furniture industries
• animal ranches
• grasses and trees
• alien invasive species
• bush encroachment
• horticulture centre abattoirs
  
  

The two sources of biomass requiring urgent attention are alien invasive species and bush encroachment zones.

Through an integrated invasive alien biomass eradication and beneficiation strategy, multiple benefits can be achieved for climate change mitigation, adaptation and the green economy.

Recent local and global studies emphasise that South Africa is regarded as extremely vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including changes in

rainfall patterns, increasing frequency of wildfire disasters, flooding, water insecurity and loss of critically important biodiversity.

The risks associated with accelerated climate change, including water insecurity and frequent wildfire disasters due to the prevalence of high volumes of invasive alien plants (IAPs) and encroacher plant biomass, as well as reducing indigenous biodiversity to the brink of extinction, make the development of a sustainable IAP and bush encroachment biomass economy an increasingly attractive option.

Cleared alien and invasive woody biomass provides opportunities for developing green value chains that restore ecosystems for adaptation and mitigation, catalyse private sector financing and provide energy alternatives, amongst other uses.

The alien and invasive biomass industry encompasses, for example, the production of charcoal and briquettes, biochar for agricultural and pharmaceutical use, biomass-to-energy projects, animal feed, compost mixtures, timber manufacturing for construction, and fencing and furniture products. By-products such as tannin and wood vinegar are also produced. In many rural households, alien and invasive biomass is the sole source of energy for cooking and heat harvesting.