Why the EBRD must end support for primary forest biomass in the Western Balkans

Issue paper    |    7 May 2025

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As the Western Balkans aim to decarbonise their energy systems, forest biomass has been increasingly promoted as a renewable solution, particularly for district heating.

Having proven to be both unsustainable and unreliable, forest biomass cannot be considered a viable pathway for decarbonisation. This issue paper presents case studies from Bosnia and Herzegovina that highlight how EBRD-backed large-scale biomass projects have faced significant challenges related to sustainability, affordability, and fuel supply.

These examples demonstrate the need for the EBRD to cease all support for district heating projects that rely on primary forest biomass, to reassess large-scale biomass heating installations under its Green Economy Transition approach, and to redirect funding towards truly sustainable renewable energy and energy-efficient heating solutions.