Environmental groups, including Dogwood Alliance, are urging an end to the subsidies that support Drax's activities, which they claim are causing forest destruction, environmental injustices, and climate damage. The call comes as Drax's annual general meeting faces criticism from various sectors around the world.
Kathy Egland, an environmental advocate with the NAACP, emphasized the importance of spreading awareness about the negative impacts of wood burning for energy, stating, "Our message is the same whether we're speaking to the U.S. government as it considers tax breaks, or to the manufacturers that supply the wood pellets, or to the U.K., whose great demand for wood pellets is enabled by massive government subsidies."
Heather Hillaker, a senior attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, highlighted the harmful pollution released by Drax's wood pellet facilities and its detrimental effects on nearby communities. She stated, "Drax's violations make these already-dirty facilities even more dangerous."
Adam Colette of Dogwood Alliance criticized Drax's portrayal of its efforts as climate-friendly, stating, "With its global reach and continuing drive for government support, Drax is becoming one of the world's most dangerous forest destroyers."
The concerns extend to Drax's sourcing practices, with Richard Robertson of Stand.earth pointing out the degradation of critical forests in Canada due to Drax's activities. He stated, "This degrades critical, high-carbon forests in Canada, weakening one of our best defenses against climate change, and releases vast carbon stocks."
The debate also touches on Drax's plans for Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS), with Katy Brown from Biofuelwatch UK expressing skepticism about the technology's viability. She stated, "Drax's claims about BECCS are at best optimistic, and at worst downright deceitful."
Environmental advocates like Matt Williams from the Natural Resources Defense Council in the U.K. are calling for a shift away from supporting bioenergy, emphasizing the need to prioritize genuine climate solutions. He stated, "Time and time again, our polling tells us that British politicians don't believe in bioenergy and the public don't trust the bioenergy industry and don't want to be propping up its profits through their energy bills."
The article also highlights opposition to Drax's expansion plans in the U.S., with concerns raised about the company's impact on forests and communities. Rita Vaughan Frost from the Natural Resources Defense Council criticized the industrial-scale wood pellet production proposed by Golden State Natural Resources, labeling it as a misuse of resources that undermines efforts to address climate-driven wildfires.
In California, Gloria Alonso Cruz from Little Manila Rising expressed concerns about the potential health risks posed by Drax's projects, emphasizing the need for development that prioritizes community well-being. Gary Hughes from Biofuelwatch warned against Drax's narrative about biomass as a climate solution, calling it misleading and harmful to forests and communities worldwide.