Burning wood for power is often worse for the climate than fossil fuels, including natural gas, because it releases more carbon dioxide. (CO2 𝐢𝑂2) per unit of energy produced, creates a "carbon debt" that takes decades to repay through forest regrowth, and reduces the forest's capacity to absorb existing atmospheric CO2𝐢𝑂2

Burning wood for power is often worse for the climate than fossil fuels, including natural gas, because it releases more carbon dioxide. (CO2 𝐢𝑂2) per unit of energy produced, creates a "carbon debt" that takes decades to repay through forest regrowth, and reduces the forest's capacity to absorb existing atmospheric CO2𝐢𝑂2

Key Findings on Burning Wood vs. Fossil Fuels
Higher Emissions: -
Wood bioenergy can emit more CO2𝐢𝑂2 per kilowatt-hour of electricity generated than even coal, often emitting 75% more CO2 𝐢𝑂2 than fossil gas.
Decades-Long Carbon Debt: -
When trees are cut down and burned, the carbon stored over decades is released instantly, but it can take 50 to 100+ years for new trees to reabsorb that CO2 𝐢𝑂2.
Inefficiency: -
Fresh wood is heavy with water, requiring significant energy to dry before burning, making biomass power plants less efficient than fossil fuel plants.
Impact of BECCS: -
Even with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), burning wood is unlikely to generate "negative emissions" for at least 150 years and can produce higher emissions than natural gas without carbon capture.
Scientific Disagreement:-
 While some research highlights the detrimental climate impacts, a debate exists, with other researchers claiming some forms of biomass can replace coal with positive climate effects.
Why Wood is Not "Carbon Neutral"
Loss of Sinks: -
Cutting down trees removes potential future carbon sequestration.
Processing Emissions:-
 Significant emissions occur from harvesting, transporting, and processing wood into pellets before it even reaches a power plant. 
For more information on the environmental impacts of wood burning, you can explore the Clean Air Hub for details on air pollution and health, or read the full Chatham House report on biomass carbon neutrality. 
Burning wood for power worse for climate than gas equivalent, report finds
   Burning wood from existing forests, especially old-growth areas, was also found to be problematic, but even when half of the wood was judged to come from waste .
MJF Lion ER YK Sharma 

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