Article by Sophie Wilesmith

Terravesta is actively lobbying for stronger recognition and support for Miscanthus and other perennial, low-input crops in the UK, responding both independently and via the Renewable Energy Association (REA) submission to the Consultation on the Common Biomass Sustainability Framework from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

A core part of Terravesta’s advocacy concerns the flawed definition of ‘energy crops’ in current UK policy. Miscanthus and willow are perennial species requiring low inputs, unlike annual energy crops such as maize, sugar cane, or soy. Yet under current definitions, these perennial crops are often excluded or misclassified, despite their multiple uses beyond energy, including as peat substitutes, bedding, horticultural mulch, construction materials, pulp and paper, and biochemical production.

To address this, Terravesta proposes a new classification: CLICC – Circular, Low-Input, Carbon Crop. This category recognises crops that provide environmental benefits, require minimal inputs, and can be grown on a wide variety of lands without competing with food production. This approach aligns economic incentives with sustainability: productive land remains dedicated to food crops, while lower-productivity fields can generate profit through low-input perennial crops without subsidies.

Terravesta stresses that perennial crops like Miscanthus and willow deliver clear environmental benefits:

• Soil conservation: Continuous root systems prevent erosion and increase carbon sequestration.
• Biodiversity support: Stable perennial habitats benefit both above- and below-ground ecosystems.
• Reduced environmental impact: Minimal fertiliser, pesticide, and fuel requirements lower carbon emissions and nutrient runoff.
• Water quality protection: Low-input cultivation reduces the risk of agricultural pollution.

While the REA represents a broad biomass perspective, Terravesta emphasises that its focus on perennial grasses of agricultural origin differs significantly from the forestry-based models that dominate the majority of REA members. Terravesta has proposed the creation of a subgroup within the biomass sector to focus on these wider biomass markets, which are less dependent on wood and energy-only applications.

“By lobbying for clear, long-term, enforceable rules and promoting the CLICC framework, we aim to ensure that perennial, low-input crops receive the recognition and support they deserve, allowing farmers to make sustainable, economically viable choices while contributing positively to the UK’s environmental and climate goals,” adds Terravesta’s managing director, Florian Ilias.