ABOUT THE FAB


The FAB is the national federation against the burning of biomass and deforestation. Our organization consists of various action groups and foundations from the Netherlands.


We are both for the protection of existing trees and forests and for their expansion inside and outside Europe. 
The FAB cooperates with several international organizations to prevent the felling and burning of trees for the generation of energy through actions and campaigns, information provision and distribution and lobbying activities. We are explicitly not a closed organization but and are open to anyone who wants to make an effort for this cause.


The complaint is based on an extensive report by both organizations, which substantiates how RWE, through a biomass certification system it established itself—the Green Gold Label (GGL)—seeks to convince politicians and civil servants that woody biomass is sustainable. In practice, however, every stage of the certification, monitoring, logging, transport, and combustion of woody biomass is characterized by conflicts of interest.



The report is partly based on a 2020 research report by the EDSP ECO Foundation, as well as an accompanying mini-documentary that exposes network corruption and systemic failures in government oversight.


Criminal complaint filed against energy company RWE


Environmental and nature organizations Comité Schone Lucht and Biofuelwatch have filed a criminal complaint against energy company RWE on suspicion of fraud and forgery related to biomass certification. Through this certification scheme, RWE receives millions of euros per year in government sustainability subsidies, while large-scale logging of trees is taking place worldwide in order to burn them in RWE’s biomass power plants. The SDE subsidy scheme in question demonstrably harms public health, nature, the climate, and thus the future of our children.


The EU is now burning biomass on an industrial scale.

And the lack of meaningful restrictions in the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) has encouraged the burning of types of biomass that actually increase emissions compared to fossil fuels — accelerating climate change instead of slowing it down. Turning crops into biofuels, for example, makes no sense in climate terms when that land could be used to grow food instead, or to restore natural carbon sinks such as forests.

And scientists, including those working for the European Commission, have warned that burning trees (as opposed to waste from sawmills) can increase emissions for decades or even centuries compared to fossil fuels.

This is because burning wood produces more emissions than fossil fuels for the same amount of energy, and because of how long it takes for trees to grow back.


Docs archive about burning woody biomass

DOCUMENTATION


We collected more then a thousand research articles and reports on the impact of the logging and burning of woody biomass and all the issues and risks surrounding it which we have read and analyzed as a basis for this website.


Watch the videos about burning woody biomass

VIDEOS


Are you looking for a video about the logging and burning of woody biomass and the actions of the 200 organizations trying to prevent them from burning down our forests and polluting our environment. We've collected them so hit the button below.


Read the latest news about the burning of woody biomass

NEWS


Want to read the latest news about the logging and burning of woody biomass and the actions of the 200 organizations trying to prevent them from burning down our forests and polluting our environment? We've created a news archive about woody biomass for you.


2020-10-01-thefab-petition-the-eu-must-protect-forests-not-burn-them-for-energy

Petition: The EU must protect forests, not burn them for energy

To conserve our nature and prevent the worst impacts of climate change, it is crucial to commit to protecting and restoring our natural forests. Yet our concerted efforts to conserve our forests and planet are systematically undermined by EU leaders. EU policy falsely and misleadingly promotes the burning of wood from forests as 'CO2-free' renewable energy. As a result, logging in our forests and the associated greenhouse gas emissions are increasing. Felling and burning forests is bad for health, nature, the climate and therefore our future. Yet every year the EU is becoming more dependent on burning wood to meet its renewable energy targets. Consumers are forced to give up billions in subsidies every year for this false and deceptive climate measure. This is a waste of money.


The Federation against Biomass Power Plants, in collaboration with several international organizations, has set up a petition that we will soon hand over to Vice President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans and the governments of the EU Member States to drastically change this disastrous policy. We could really use your support!


2020-05-08-thefab-response-to-pbl-report-on-the-availability-and-applications-of-sustainable-biomass-english

The Federation against Biomassplants Response to the PBL Biomassreport

Greenpeace stated the report was a cowardly and PBL unworthy report, Johan Vollenbroek stated the report missed all the essentials and the Federation against Biomass plants & Deforestation agrees. The PBL report doesn’t provide the necessary recommendations for a good climate policy and states that Dutch climate policy can’t do without the burning of biomass. This statement is false. On the contrary, biomass combustion increases the climate problem, causes damage to our health and reduces biodiversity. Read our full statement on the PBL report here: 2020-05-08-thefab-response-to-pbl-report-on-the-availability-and-applications-of-sustainable-biomass-english.pdf


2020-03-16-edsp-eco-input-for-the-gov-nl-pbl-research-on-the-availability-of-sustainable-biomass-and-usage-in-the-netherlands-english

Our Contribution for the Research of the PBL for the SER Dutch Biomass Policy Advice

The Federation against Biomass Plants and Deforestation contributed to the research by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) which will be used as the basis for the advice of the Social and Economic Council (SER) on the availability of sustainable biomass and its application possibilities in the Netherlands with regard to new biomass policy of the Dutch Government. The entire PBL investigation is a total scam, but we have provided our input in preparation for the multiple lawsuits that we are preparing. We have added the link to the main document of our contribution below: 2020-03-16-edsp-eco-input-for-the-gov-nl-pbl-research-on-the-availability-of-sustainable-biomass-and-usage-in-the-netherlands-english.pdf


Biomassive Clear-Cut Movie Robin Noorda

Biomassive Clear-Cut Movie (Robin Noorda)


2020-03-16-edsp-eco-pro-biomass-lobbyfacts-research-part-1-the-energy-companies-english

Pro-biomass lobby facts research part 1: the energy companies

You may be wondering why biomass plants are opening so easily even though there is so much protest against it. Our pro-biomass lobby research shows that millions are being put into the lobby world of the biomass power stations by, among others, the energy companies, politicians, scientists and investors. This article is part of an extensive research into the paid pro-biomass lobby activities in the Netherlands: 2020-03-16-edsp-eco-pro-biomass-lobbyfacts-research-part-1-the-energy-companies-english.pdf


2019-11-08-thefab-brief-aan-de-financiers-van-rwe-over-de-investeringsrisicos-van-biomassa

Letter to RWE investors about the investment risks of biomass

Not only the energy companies and politicians are to blame for the rise of the biomass plants. Investors also play an important role even though they should be taking responsibility for our health, nature, climate and the future. Therefore, together with international organizations, we have written a letter to the RWE investor: 2019-11-08-thefab-biofuelwatch-dogwoodalliance-environmentalpapernetwork-letter-to-rwe-financiers-on-the-risks-of-investing-in-biomass-english.pdf


2020-03-16-edsp-eco-pro-biomass-lobbyfacts-research-part-3-rwe-essent-and-the-scientists-of-the-copernicus-institute

Pro biomass lobby facts research part 3: The Scientists

For decades there has been a conflict of interest in the science that is practiced around the subject of energy. In part 3 of the pro-biomass lobby research we show that financial incentives make it difficult for scientists to come up with objective research results and that they are influenced by companies and politicians in their research methods.


We also show that scientists hold additional functions that cause conflicts of interests. They take positions in commercial companies, set up conflicting companies themselves or they enter into alliances with stakeholders. This seriously jeopardizes the objectivity of their research. We have also shown that scientists go into politics and in policy-making give priority to the interests of their own enterprise or the interests of the companies with which they collaborate. Finally, we show that the sustainability programs that are responsible for guaranteeing the sustainability of the entire chain of biomass combustion consistently consist of prominent people from the energy and biomass sectors.


Every part in the biomass chain, from certification, harvesting, production, trade, transport to incineration and procurement of subsidies is infused with conflicts of interest. It is a shock to us that this way of acting is legal. We find it ethically irresponsible and reprehensible that scientists associated with the Copernicus Institute, that presents itself as an independent institute for sustainable development, in our eyes are concerned with big scale-paid greenwashing for organizations such as RWE Essent who are demonstrably guilty of causing damage to our health, nature, the environment and therefore our future. This article is part of an extensive study on the paid pro-biomass lobby activities in the Netherlands: 2020-03-16-edsp-eco-pro-biomass-lobbyfacts-research-part-3-rwe-essent-and-the-scientists-of-the-copernicus-institute-english.pdf


CONTACT


 
 
 
 
 
 

Participating Organizations in the Federation Against Biomass Powerplants



Actiegroep stop de houtkap Lansingerland

Aktie Redactie Bomen en Bos

Arnhems Peil

Beemster Vanzelfsprekend

Behoud Bomen Arnhem

Bloei! in Arnhem

Boom en bos

Bomenbescherming Amsterdam

Bomen Brigade Boxtel

Bomenkapmeldpunt

Bomenridders Groningen

Bomenstichting

Bomenstichting Achterhoek

De Klimaatcoalitie

De Tree Union

Elderveld Groen

Klimaatcoalitie Arnhem

OP Renkum

Code Rood

Comité Matiging Kapbeleid Slangenburg

Comité Schone Lucht

Democratisch Zaanstad

Duurzaam Dorp Diemen

Ecoplan

Ecovrede

EDSP ECO

Eetbaar Arnhem

Fossielvrij Amsterdam

Geen biomassa centrales in Waddinxveen

Global Forest Coalition

Grenzeloos Groen

Groen in Amersfoort

Groen Weert

Houtrookvrij Barneveld

Kritisch Bosbeheer

Laat mij staan

Lekker Groen

Meneer Boom en Vrienden

Milieudefensie Leiden

Mobilisation for the Environment

Natuur & Milieu Schuytgraaf

Natuur- en milieuvereniging Het Groene Hart Brabant.

Natuurlijk Achterhoek

Partij voor de Bomen Texel

Tropism Art & Science Foundation

Tuin van Zeeland

Vereniging Open Landschap te Rijen

Voedselbos Hilkensberg

Vrijwillig Bosbeheer Noord-Nederland

Werkgroep Bomen Groningen

Werkgroep Houtstook-vrij

Maarten Visschers

Martien Spitzen

Janny Takens

Cor Vinke

Enny Kleikamp - van Leeuwen

Dick Jager

Jan van de Pol

Thirsa Kros

Pieter van de Kraats

Bas 't Hart

Pieter Parmentier

Magda Bolt

Wim Lentink

Marlies de Bruin

Joke Volkers Vos

Hans Loogman

Rutger van den Hoofdakker

Ran Joosten

Martijn Katan

Suzanne Rutten

Chiene Vos

Jan Wennink

Malène Duijst

Arjen Pootjes

Gerard Speekenbrink

Jan Groot

Ronald Wassenaar

Anthonie Verschoor

Jan Kuijt

Emile Hermkens

Coos van Rooijen

Daan Koole

Monica Francisca

Frans van der Krul

Laura Vink

Theo Haffmans

Jan Leemkuil

Rini Ruitenschild

Wil Frijns

Albert Kroon

Coby van der Velden

Karen van Ede

Marleen Pientka

Atwil Louwerse

Aad Luymes

Clem Follender

Felix Amahorseija

Arie de Jong

Ron Stoop

Cees van der Put

Christa Visscher

Bas Jansen

Cees de Valk

Michiel Wulffele

Wim Porte

Jan de Vries

Gert-Jan Meijer

Harm de Leeuw

Rene Beusmans

Igor Freeke

Joost Dirkx

Armand Stelma

Albert Berg

Paul Rutten

Willem Geerds

Edwin Simonis

Ab Kuijer

Carolien Boerma

Pieter Bellaar

Willem Boers

Renate Verhagen

Beb Lambrechts

Marian

Pieter van Vlaardingen

Nettie Molenaar

Elaine Gerritsen

Arie Pieter van Duijn

Richard van Koetsveld van Ankeren

Maria van Veen

Nettie Molenaar

Pieter van Vlaardingen

Ellen van Tilborg

Maria van Veen

Barbara Noort

Berend de Vos

Dennis van Biene

Peter Blesgraaf

Frank Vermeer

Joke Druppers

Cees Derksen

Martine Pijpe

Elise Spit

Erlinde Vermeegen

Laura Monathen

Theo Vonk

Filip vandeputte

Annette Segaar

Mathilde Schoneveld

Douwe Riegstra

Frank Duiker

Ed van Puijenbroek

Ardine Nicolai

Wankja Ferguson

Ries van der Hout

Alex Schaap

Paulette in 't Veld

Edith Cammenga

Hannie Riksen

L Metzelaar

Evas

Benschop

Frits ter Brugge

Hans Koster

Vanessa van Dijk

Serge Claessen

Hans Westerhof

Ard Helgers

Lode van der Pol

Carmen van Deutekom

Cecile van de Zand


In Collaboration With



Organizations United Against De-forestation and the Burning of Biomass


The organisations below believe that we must move beyond burning forest biomass to effectively address climate change and call on governments, financiers, companies and civil society to avoid expansion of the forest biomass based energy industry and move away from its use. Subsidies for forest biomass energy must be eliminated. Protecting and restoring the world’s forests is a climate change solution, burning them is not.


Organisatie

Website

Abibiman Foundation - Ghana

All India Forum of Forest Movements - India

Alliance for a Clean Environment, Western Australia - Australia

Alliance for the Wild Rockies - USA

Association de Lutte contre les Nuisances et la Pollution

AMAF – Benin

Amis de la Terre - Togo

ARA - Germany


Arise for Social Justice – Springfield - USA

Arnhems Peil - Netherlands

Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development - Asia

Australian Forest and Climate Alliance - Australia

Australian Rainforest Conservation Society - Australia

Ballina Environment Society - Australia

BankTrack - Europe

Battle Creek Alliance - USA

Behoud Bomen Arnhem - Netherlands

Bellingen Environment Centre, NSW - Australia

Biodiversity Conservation Center - Russia

Biofuelwatch - International

Birdlife - Europe

Blue Dalian - China

Bob Brown Foundation - Australia

Brighter Green - USA

Busselton Dunsborough Environment Centre, WA - Australia

California Chaparral Institute - USA

Canberra Forest Network, ACT - Australia

Canopee - France

Canopy - Canada

Censat Agua – Amigos de la Tierra Colombia - Colombia

Center for Biological Diversity - USA

Clarence Environment Centre, NSW - Australia

Client Earth - UK

Coffs Harbour Greens - Australia

Colectivo VientoSur - Chile

Concerned citizens of Franklin County - USA

Conservation Congress - USA

Conservatree - USA

Czech Coalition for Rivers - Czech Republic

Defiance Canyon Raptor Rescue - USA

Denkhaus Bremen - Germany

Doctors and Scientists against Wood Smoke Pollution - International

Dogwood Alliance - USA

Don’t Waste Arizona - USA

Earth Ethics - USA

Ecology Action Centre - Canada

Econexus - UK

EDSP - International

Endangered Species Coalition - USA

Environment East Gippsland - Australia

Environmental Paper Network

Estonian Forest Aid - Estonia

Extinction Rebellion Hawaii - USA

Federation of Community Forestry Users, Nepal (FECOFUN) - Nepal

FERN - Europe

Forest Media, NSW - Australia

Forest observatory - Morocco

Forests of the World - Denmark

Forum Ecologie & Papier - Germany

Fresnans against Fracking - USA

Friends of Siberian Forests - Russia

Friends of the Earth Bosnia & Herzegovina - Bosnia & Herzegovina

Friends of the Earth Finland - Finland

Friends of the Earth U.S.A. - USA

Friends of the Irish Environment

Friends of the Forest, mid South coast NSW - Australia

Friends of the Wild Swan - USA

Fund for Wild Nature - USA

Fundacja “Rozwój TAK – Odkrywki NIE - Poland

Geasphere - South-Africa

Gelderse Natuur en Milieufederatie - Netherlands

GEOS Institute - USA

Gesellschaft fur okologische Forschung e V. - Germany

Global Forest Coalition - International

Great Southern Forest, NSW - Australia

Green Longjiang - China

GreenLatinos - USA

Greenpeace International - International

Healthy Forest Coalition, Nova Scotia - Canada

Henoi - Paraguay

Humane Society International Australia - Australia

Indigenous Environmental Network - USA

Instytut Spraw Obewatelskich INSPRO - Poland

Jamesville Positive Action Committee - USA

John Muir Project - USA

Kalang Land and Environment Action Network, NSW - Australia

Kalang River Forest Alliance, NSW - Australia

Last Tree Laws - USA

Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation - USA

Los Padres ForestWatch - USA

Margaret River Regional Environment Centre, WA - Australia

Massachusetts Forest Rescue - USA

Mighty Earth - USA

Milieudefensie - Netherlands

MOBilisation for the Environment

My Environment, Vic - Australia

Nambucca Valley Conservation Association, NSW - Australia

National Toxics Network, Australia - Australia

Natural Resources Defense Council - USA

Nimbin Environment Centre, NSW - Australia

NOAH (FoE Denmark) - Denmark

North Coast Environment Council, NSW - Australia

North Columbia Environmental Society - USA

North East Forest Alliance, NSW - Australia

Partnership for Policy Integrity - USA

Protect the Forest - Sweden

Public Lands Media - USA

Rachel Carson Council - USA

Rainforest Action Network - USA

Rainforest Information Centre - Australia

Rainforest Relief - USA

Renourish - USA

Restore: The North Woods - USA

Rettet de Regenwald - Germany

RICCE - Liberia

RootsKeeper - USA

Salva la Selva - Spain

Santa Fe Forest Coalition - USA

Save Brook Rd. Forest in WEndell State Forest - USA

Sequoia ForestKeeper - USA

Sierra Club - USA

Sierra Club BC - Canada

Snow Alliance - China

Society for Responsible Design - Australia

Soil Mates Cooperative - Canada

South East Forest Alliance - Australia

South East Forest Rescue - Australia

South East Region Conservation Alliance - Australia

Southern Environmental Law Center - USA

South-West Forests Defence Foundation, WA - Australia

STAND.earth - USA

Stichting Luchtfonds - Netherlands

Sustainable Agriculture and Communities Alliance - Australia

Swan View Coalition, Montana - USA

Terra! - Italy

The Corner House - UK

The Development Institute - Ghana

TUK Indonesia - Indonesia

Western Australian Forest Alliance - Australia

Wild Nature Institute - USA

WildWest Institute - USA

WOLF Forest Protection Movement

Women’s Environment & Development Organization - USA – International

Womens Earth and Climate Action Network - USA & International

Woodland League - Ireland

Woods Hole Research Center - USA

Wuhu Ecology Centre - China

Yellowstone to Uintas Connection - USA

ZERO - Portugal