Draft environmental standards for biofuels

Jul 2006

Demand for biofuels derived from oilseeds and starch/sugar crops is expected to grow rapidly over the next 10-20 years as a result of a combination of high fossil fuel prices and concerted policies promoting biofuels to address global warming and security of supply concerns. Within the UK, the key legislation leading to increased demand is the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO). The RTFO requires suppliers of transport fossil fuels to supply 5%v/v from renewable sources by 2010/11. Companies are also required to report on the sustainability and greenhouse gas savings of the fuel they supply.
There are concerns that rapid expansion of biofuels supply could lead to serious negative local environmental impacts.
While existing agricultural practices and legal requirements may prevent or limit negative environmental impacts in many countries it is recognised by many stakeholders in the biofuels industry that an additional level of international assurance is required to secure industry credibility and maintain stable policy support. This is particularly important for the biofuel industry given the global nature of the transport fuel trade.
Environmental assurance schemes can be effective at ensuring products are sourced from landholdings where responsible agricultural or forest management practices are employed, thereby reducing the risk of harm to ecosystems and natural resources.
This report describes the framework and draft standards that could operate for environmental assurance of biofuels. Before these can be finalised a governance structure would need to be put in place to complete and then operationalise the standards. The draft standard addresses both the production of crops used for biofuel; and, storage, transportation and processing of biofuel feedstocks and biofuels prior to the fuel duty point or blending with fossil fuels, whichever is first.
The draft standards for production of biofuel crops comprise the following “Principles”, “Criteria.”:
• Conservation of carbon stocks

o Protection of above-ground carbon
o Protection of soil carbon
• Conservation of biodiversity
o Conservation of important ecosystems & species
o Basic good biodiversity practices
• Sustainable use of water resources
o Efficient water use in water critical areas
o Avoidance of diffuse water pollution
• Maintenance of soil fertility
o Protection of soil structure and avoidance of erosion
o Maintain nutrient status
o Good fertiliser practice
• Good agricultural practice
o Use of inputs complies with relevant legislation
o Use of inputs justified by documented problem
o Safe handling of materials
• Waste management
o Waste management complies with relevant legislation
o Safe storage and segregation of waste
The study provides a number of recommendations for the further development and rollout of the environmental standard for biofuels.

By: The Edinburgh Centre for Carbon Management, IIED, ADAS, Imperial College

 
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