Stand.earth has raised concerns about the Canadian forestry practices associated with Drax, particularly regarding the sourcing of wood used in their biomass energy production. Drax clarifies that it does not own forests or sawmills and is not involved in the approval process for logging areas. According to Drax, in 2024, 81% of their Canadian wood supply was sourced from sawdust and residues generated during sawmill operations, while 19% was from forest residues like low-quality roundwood and tree parts.
In British Columbia, the harvesting of timber is conducted by private companies under government regulations, which are developed in collaboration with Indigenous First Nations. Approximately 94% of the province’s forests are located on public land, subject to legal reforestation requirements. Drax argues that unmanaged forests can lead to increased wildfire risks, as evidenced by a wildfire in Jasper, Alberta, which resulted in substantial damages and CO₂ emissions.
Drax states that the biomass highlighted in Stand.earth’s report was low-grade wood rejected by sawmills. They assert that utilizing this material for energy is preferable to burning it on-site, which could help reduce wildfire risks. Drax emphasizes that the wood used for biomass did not come from designated old-growth management or protection areas.
Meanwhile, concerns have been expressed about the UK government’s financial support for Drax’s activities amidst its environmental commitments. Critics argue that the government’s subsidies for burning biomass, including old trees, contradict its environmental leadership. They call for a reevaluation of financial practices to ensure that public funds prioritize forest preservation rather than practices that may contribute to deforestation.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/nov/21/drax-the-forestry-industry-and-the-guise-of-green-energy