biogenic carbon dioxide

Biogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) is carbon dioxide released as a result of the combustion or decomposition of organic material, that is biomass and its derivatives. Examples include carbon dioxide released during the combustion of wood and biogas generated by decomposition.

Unlike CO2 from fossil fuels, biogenic CO2 is not considered a greenhouse gas emission if it is from a sustainable source. Biomass sequesters carbon as it grows, and the CO2 released by combustion can be resequestered in the growing biomass. However, carbon sequestration takes time, so even with biogenic CO2, emissions and sequestration must be in balance.