Stop burning trees to make energy, say 650 scientists before Cop15 biodiversity summit

Letter says bioenergy is wrongly deemed carbon neutral' and contributes to wildlife loss

More than 650 scientists are urging world leaders to stop burning trees to make energy because it destroys valuable habitats for wildlife.

In the buildup to Cop15, the UN biodiversity summit, they say countries urgently need to stop using forest bioenergy to create heat and electricity as it undermines international climate and nature targets. Instead, renewable energy sources such as wind and solar should be used, they say.