Utilization of Residual Lignocellulosic Residues and CO₂ in Canada: The Beginning of a Whole New Era of Opportunity

Canada has been relying on the integration of its forest industry for decades during which lumbering was closely associated with the pulp and paper industry back in an age where CO₂ emissions were merely discussed. Nowadays, the country is facing many challenges, one of which being the progressive disappearance of the pulp and paper industry, which used to be a pillar of the economy. In addition, Canada has one of the largest levels of greenhouse gases (GHG) emission per capita in the world which can be related to the weather, the area of the country and of course, its sparse population. Despite these issues, numerous opportunities could be considered to reduce the amount of wastes while at the same time contributing in reducing the GHG emissions. In addition, both Provincial and Federal Governments have established different programs contributing in supporting R&D activities both at laboratory scale up to industrial scale. In this short review, the possibility to put together a “less-than-zero” GHG emissions biorefinery using solely wastes and green electricity will be discussed.