The impact of the biomass energy use on CO2 emissions: A Panel data model for 15 countries

Biomass energy is a double-edged sword. There are two theories of the relationship between biomass and carbon dioxide (CO
₂
) emissions. Proponents of the first theory predict that biomass is carbon neutral, so that its use reduces CO
₂
emissions. Supporters of the second theory argue that biomass can be harmful to the environment by emitting a significant amount of carbon. In this context, the current analysis investigates the relationship between biomass and carbon emissions for 15 countries during the period 1991-2011. This study uses one proxy of carbon emissions, namely (CO
₂
) and one proxy of biomass use, namely electricity generation produced from biomass and waste energy (BIO). Using the Panel data model, the results showed that the biomass reduces the CO
₂
emissions and has a positive role in the reduction of the carbon. The researches also concluded that there is non-linear relationship between the level of growth expressed by the real gross domestic product (GDP) and the C0
₂
. Finally, the population is positively correlated with the CO
₂
emissions.