NPSB Information Bulletin 2

Transcription

NPSB
Information
Bulletin
Nr. 2 - 2013
NPSB Information Bulletin [April 2013 – October 2013]
Page 2 of 36
Colophon
Date
Status
December, 2013
Final
This study was carried out in the framework of the Netherlands Programmes
Sustainable Biomass by
Name organisation
Contact person
SQ Consult
Jinke van Dam and Sergio Ugarte, SQ Consult
Contact persons NL Agency
Jobert Winkel, Ella Lammers
Although this report has been put together with the greatest possible care, NL Agency does
not accept liability for possible errors.
Pagina 3 van 36
Contact
Netherlands Programmes Sustainable Biomass
Jobert Winkel, Ella Lammers
NL Agency
NL Energy and Climate Change
Croeselaan 15, 3521 BJ Utrecht
P.O. Box 8242, 3503 RE Utrecht
The Netherlands
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +31 88 602 79 69
www.agentschapnl.nl/biomass
Organisation
SQ Consult
Jinke van Dam and Sergio Ugarte, Associate SQ Consult
Tel: +31.6.39783382
P.O. Box 8239, 3503 RE Utrecht
The Netherlands
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]
Page 5 of 36
Index
1
Introduction ...................................................................................... 9
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
2.4
2.5
3
General trends ................................................................................ 10
Sustainability criteria on European level unlikely: Member States develop
criteria on national level.................................................................... 10
Stimulating advanced biomass use and cascading within the current policy
frameworks ..................................................................................... 11
Opposite views on modification of RED ............................................... 12
Co-regulation process is maturing towards common practice ................ 13
Most used certification systems on the Dutch market ........................... 13
Policy discussions and announcements ........................................... 15
3.1 European Commission ...................................................................... 15
3.1.1 Status on the EC proposed modifications to the RED ...................... 15
3.1.2 EP committee backs hierarchy of biomass uses .............................. 15
3.1.3 First meeting of Bioeconomy Panel Europe .................................... 16
3.1.4 Anti-dumping duties for Argentinean and Indonesian biodiesel ........ 16
3.1.5 New forest resources strategy in the EU ....................................... 16
3.2 Netherlands: Decisions and announcements ....................................... 16
3.2.1 Dutch Roadmap for Sustainable Energy: Amongst others sustainability
criteria for solid biomass ............................................................. 16
3.2.2 Ministerial Agreement on changes ................................................ 17
3.2.3 Commission Corbey advices on social responsibility and accelerating
introduction of advanced biofuels ................................................. 17
3.2.4 First reporting on sustainability solid biomass 2012 Green Deal ....... 17
3.2.5 Reporting on sustainability biofuels 2012 by Nea ........................... 17
3.3 Policy discussions in other EU Member States ..................................... 18
3.3.1 UK: UK to introduce sustainability criteria for biomass as of April 2015 .
............................................................................................... 18
3.3.2 Spain: CNE Circular established rules for the national sustainability
system. Compliance with sustainability obligations still suspended. .. 18
3.4 Non-EU policies and announcements .................................................. 18
3.4.1 United Nations: Biofuel development should not compromise food
security .................................................................................... 18
3.4.2 USA: USDA to support advanced biofuels production ...................... 19
3.4.3 USA: EPA finalized 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards ....................... 19
3.4.4 Brazil: Regulator sets new jet biofuel laws .................................... 19
3.4.5 Brazil: Support to the sugar-ethanol industry with tax cuts and
subsidies .................................................................................. 19
3.4.6 South Africa: Mandatory biofuels blending into effect ..................... 20
3.4.7 Indonesia: Government launched biofuel policy ............................. 20
3.4.8 Philippines: Update of biodiesel standard to be in line with
international specifications .......................................................... 20
3.4.9 Zimbabwe: Mandatory 10 percent blending ethanol ....................... 20
4
4.1
4.2
4.3
4.4
Sustainability certification of biomass............................................. 21
Bonsucro ........................................................................................ 21
ISCC .............................................................................................. 21
Initiative Wood Pellet Buyers (IWPB) becomes SBP .............................. 21
NTA8080 and inclusion in ITC Standards Map...................................... 21
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4.5
4.6
4.7
4.8
4.9
4.10
5
5.1
5.2
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.6
5.7
5.8
6
REDcert ......................................................................................... 21
RSB: The Roundtable on sustainable biomaterials................................ 22
RSPO: a new version of principles and criteria..................................... 22
BIOGRACE II .................................................................................. 22
CEN/ISO developments on standardizing sustainability of bioenergy ...... 23
GBEP: first lessons learnt from pilot studies ..................................... 23
International co-operation / projects ............................................. 24
Biobased Industries Public Private Partnership launched ....................... 24
The Biomass Policies Project ............................................................. 24
EC: Aid for 3rd generation biorefineries .............................................. 24
European Commission: Biofuels FlightPath event "Beyond CO2:
Biokerosene, engine emissions and technical constraints" ..................... 24
FAO: New tool for the assessment of forest biomass and carbon stocks.. 24
GRFA: Biofuel Production Mandates Overview ..................................... 24
IFAD and ICRAF: Development of Alternative Biofuel Crops .................. 25
SAHYOG: Strengthening Networking on Biomass Research and Biowaste
Conversion – Biotechnology for Europe India Integration ...................... 25
Reports ........................................................................................... 26
AEBIOM: Forest sustainability and carbon balance ............................... 26
Ecofys: Low ILUC potential of wastes and residues for biofuels.............. 26
E-PURE: Biofuels, food security and grab lands ................................... 26
EurObser’ER annual biofuels barometer 2012 released ......................... 26
FAO and ICTSD: Global biofuel trade - How uncoordinated biofuel policy
fuels resource use and GHG emissions ............................................... 27
6.6 GIZ: Lessons learned on the procedure for the recognition of schemes .. 27
6.7 International Energy Agency (IEA) Bioenergy Task 40: Future perspectives
of international bioenergy trade ........................................................ 27
6.8 IEA Bioenergy Task 40: Low cost, Long Distance Biomass Supply Chains 27
6.9 IEA Bioenergy Task 40: History, status & outlook on securing sustainable
bioenergy supply, demand and markets ............................................. 28
6.10
IEA Bioenergy Task 40: The Science-Policy Interface on the
Environmental Sustainability of Forest Bioenergy .............................. 28
6.11
IUCN: Betting on best quality certification for biomass, soy and palm oil .
.................................................................................................. 28
6.12
JRC: Carbon accounting of forest bioenergy ..................................... 28
6.13
KPMG: A roadmap to responsible soy: Approaches to increase
certification and reduce risk ........................................................... 28
6.14
NL Agency: Biomass merits of bamboo, switchgrass, wheat and rice
straw .......................................................................................... 29
6.15
NL Agency: Combining bioenergy production and food security .......... 29
6.16
NL Agency: Competition in wood waste: inventory of policies and
markets....................................................................................... 29
6.17
NL Agency: Handbook on sustainability certification of solid biomass for
energy production ........................................................................ 30
6.18
NL Agency: New tool assesses charcoal alternatives with underlying
cases .......................................................................................... 30
6.19
NL Agency: Smallholder certification in biomass supply chains,
challenges and strategies .............................................................. 30
6.20
PBL and Alterra: Climate effects of wood used for bioenergy .............. 31
6.21
UNCTAD: Wake up before it’s too late ............................................. 31
6.22
USDA GAIN: EU biofuels annual 2013.............................................. 31
6.1
6.2
6.3
6.4
6.5
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6.23
6.24
6.25
USDA GAIN: Bundle of biofuels annual country reports 2013.............. 31
WWF: Searching for sustainability - Comparative analysis of certification
schemes ...................................................................................... 31
WWF: 2013 Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard ............................................ 32
7
List of important abbreviations ....................................................... 33
8
Disclaimer ....................................................................................... 35
Pagina 8 van 36
1
Introduction
This Information Bulletin is issued as part of the Netherlands Programmes
Sustainable Biomass (NPSB). The NPSB Bulletin gives an overview of recent
worldwide policy developments, production, trade, certification, and use of
sustainable biomass. This edition focuses on the latest policy discussions,
certification developments, and most important published reports.
The mission of the NPSB is to promote the sustainable production of biomass
around the world. This mission is in line with the Dutch policy facilitating the
transition towards a biobased economy. In this context, the Dutch government
launched two programmes in 2008: The Sustainable Biomass Fund and the
Sustainable Biomass Import. These programmes cluster the experience and
knowledge gained from the biomass-project portfolio supported by NL Agency.
These programmes also support supplementary research to gain better
understanding of over-arching questions. The NPSB evaluate project results in the
broader context of developing a sustainable society. These evaluations take into
consideration different facts such as growing economy, changing global
relationships and evolution of markets. The NPSB also monitor the influence of
policy developments on the biomass market in the Netherlands, Europe and in
other countries. These activities result into valuable information for governments,
stakeholders, and for the NPSB projects as well.
This Information Bulletin summarises relevant news items and reports issued from
April to October 2013. It builds on earlier published Bulletins to keep an
articulated and complete overview of the evolution of sustainability of biomass in
the world. The second chapter of the Information Bulletin presents the general
trends happening around the European Renewable Energy Directive (RED)
transposition and certification development. The third chapter focuses on the main
policy discussions and announcements within the European Union (EU), the
Netherlands and the rest of the world. The fourth chapter presents the latest in
sustainability certification of biomass. The fifth chapter informs on relevant
happenings within international co-operation and projects. And finally, the sixth
chapter summarises the latest reports and publications around sustainability of
biomass.
The team of NL Agency for Sustainable Biomass
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2
2.1
General trends
Sustainability criteria on European level unlikely: Member States develop
criteria on national level
While the European Commission (EC) Consultation process early 2011 showed
there is large support for binding sustainability criteria for solid and gaseous
biomass, the EC has reached no agreement so far to establish binding
requirements for solid and gaseous biomass for their use in electricity, heating and
cooling. In November 2013, it is highly unlikely that mandatory sustainability
criteria will be implemented on European level. Consequently, few Member States
have started developing sustainability criteria on national level.
The UK has decided to implement mandatory sustainability requirements for solid
biomass for heat and electricity since early 2015. Criteria for electricity produced
from biomass include increasing Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reduction targets (from
60% to 70% over time) compared to fossil fuel alternatives. Requirements on
sustainable forest management, biodiversity protection, land use rights for
indigenous populations and land criteria are defined as well. The social criteria go
further than the ones earlier recommended by the EC Communication from 2010
(GHG savings, biodiversity protection, no conversion on carbon rich land, stimulate
higher conversion efficiencies). Requirements in the UK are for all electricity
generators of 1 megawatt (MW) capacity or higher.
The Netherlands is developing sustainability criteria for solid biomass, based on
the current standard of the NTA8080 certification scheme. The NTA8080 criteria
are to be combined with additional requirements regarding indirect land use
change (ILUC), sustainable forest management and carbon debt. Carbon debt is
the topic of research in various reports in the last months.
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Other Member States such as Germany, Belgium and Poland have also developed
policy initiatives in the direction of establishing mandatory criteria for solid
biomass.
Considerations for the market:
• European mandatory sustainability criteria for solid biomass are most unlikely;
• Some Member States have started developing policies on sustainability criteria
for solid biomass on national level;
• This situation calls for urgent attention to homogeneous criteria for solid
biomass across the EU to avoid the risk for fragmentation and higher costs;
• Companies and suppliers need to get prepared to show traceability and to proof
compliance to sustainability requirements in Member States in which this is
required.
2.2
Stimulating advanced biomass use and cascading within the current
policy frameworks
Large investments have been recently made to further explore the possibilities of
the biobased economy in Europe. The European Biobased Industry Consortium is
worth a €1 billion of European Union funds from the new Horizon 2020 program.
Meanwhile, €2.8 billion of EU finding has been earmarked to accelerate the
deployment of biobased products. The French funded Genesys project to develop
zero-waste, positive-energy third generation biorefineries is granted € 39 million.
Similar large investments are taking place in the US where the US Department of
Agriculture (USDA) has announced a 181 million US$ support of the Biorefinery
Assistance Program while as well supporting the deployment of advanced biofuels
through the Advanced biofuel Payment Program with another 15.5 million US$.
This development goes hand in hand with ongoing policy debates on how to better
design policies to promote the bioeconomy. The report “Innovating for sustainable
growth: a bioeconomy for Europe” from the European Parliament calls for
establishing a cascading use principle, taking into account its different segments
and strengthening it at its highest levels. This report is not in line with the draft
report discussed by the same Committee on the 7th Action Programme. This draft
report mentioned that the cascading principle couldn’t be disconnected from the
economic context of the different uses. These differences show the internal debate
within the European Parliament (EP) on the cascading principle, and how to use
biomass.
On the advanced biofuels front, the Netherlands has made first steps on
recognising the practical and legislative barriers for deploying advanced biofuels
and addressing possibilities for solving those. The Ministerial Decree of May 2013
makes it now possible that refined grasses can be double counted for biofuels
under certain conditions. The Commission Corbey has published its advice on the
accelerated introduction of advanced biofuels. This Advice gives recommendations
on how to do so. First, it recommends introducing sub-objectives for blends with
advanced biofuels (while removing the possibility for double counting of certain
biofuels). Secondly, stimulating innovation through grants or a revolving fund is
recommended. Finally, it advices to introduce market incentives by greening the
excise system and, or, by introducing a preferential government procurement
policy.
Pagina 11 van 36
• The lost months, there have been more funding available to deploy and
accelerate the introduction of advanced biofuels
• Policy attention to consider the cascading principle and to create more market
incentives for advanced biofuels;
• This points to possibilities for a growing advanced biofuels sector, despite still
existing uncertainties;
• The promotion of biobased products will accelerate the discussion on how to
best use biomass resources.
2.3
Opposite views on modification of RED
The EC proposal to modify the Renewable Energy Directive (RED) in various
aspects related to sustainability of biofuels and bioliquids is facing several
difficulties before a final compromise. Groups with different interests lobby in
opposite directions, which result in lengthy negotiations. The approval of the RED
modification is now delayed until probably the second half of 2014.
In October 2012, the EC proposed to amend the RED and the Fuel Quality
Directive (FQD). The general objective of the proposed amendments was to
promote advanced biofuels that will help achieve substantial emission reductions
and which do not directly compete with food production. The specific objectives of
the proposal were fourfold:
• A cap on the contribution from conventional biofuels from food crops to 5% to
the total target;
• Combined with introducing advanced 60% GHG savings in biofuels produced in
new installations by 1 July 2014;
• Encouraging advanced biofuels by multiple-counting towards national targets;
• A reporting obligation on estimated ILUC emissions of biofuels.
The proposed modifications were criticized by all different stakeholder groups in
different directions. Companies producing food-crops biofuels argue that the
proposed cap would jeopardise their investments. Most of the incumbent biofuel
industry is also against ILUC reporting and measures. Several NGOs and
companies that aim to develop advanced biofuels wanted to see, on the other
hand, all these changes go faster. Discussions on policy level are fed with the
publication of various reports addressing the role of biofuels on food security and
the possibilities to come to solutions. The E-Pure report “Biofuels and food security
- Risks and opportunities” concludes that the contribution of biofuels to price
changes remained very small. The NL Agency report “Combining bioenergy
production and food security” shows examples of best practices in how producing
and using biomass for energy and food security can be combined. The UN
Conference on Trade and Development (CTAD) report “Wake Up before it’s too
late” stresses the need to make a shift in agricultural production systems. The
report also questions some of the assumptions that had driven food, agricultural
and trade policy in recent decades.
After lengthy negotiations, the EP has voted at the end on a 6% cap this last
September, along with a new 2.5% sub-target for advanced biofuels in 2020. The
Parliament did not get to an approval though. Member States have now to reach
an agreement on their own. This debate is ongoing since then with a new proposal
end of November with a 7% cap. A final round of voting on the Bill at the
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European Council is planned for December 13. When undefined, the proximity of
the European elections will delay a final compromise on the RED modification.
• No cap is set on the use of food crops for biofuels at this point, although this is
to be expected on the short to medium term;
• Priority is given to find ways to optimize agricultural systems for food and fuel.
2.4
Co-regulation process is maturing towards common practice
Since July 2011, the EC started recognising certification schemes to demonstrate
that biofuels put in the European Union (EU) market comply with the RED
mandatory sustainability requirements. Only three years ago, in 2010, biofuels
and feedstock production was unregulated in terms of sustainability. Fourteen EC
recognised certification schemes and tools are now operating in the EU. The coregulation process that recognises voluntary schemes for their use in the EU is an
on-going learning process.
The major steps to establish a sustainability system for biofuels and bioliquids in
the EU market have been successful. The co-regulation process is now maturing
towards common practice among the voluntary schemes. This means that there
are less policy changes at Member States to transpose the EU RED to national
level. Changes now occur within the operating procedures from schemes, as they
need to adapt to the reality of a developing market.
Schemes have started to make changes to their standards and guidance
documents, as well as to implement cross-acceptance procedures among them.
Scheme changes are to be approved by the EC when those changes affect the
official Decision recognising them. However, there is no official procedure on how
this approval should take place. As for the cross acceptance of certificates among
schemes, the RED does not contain any rules or guidelines although the possibility
for cross-recognition should be part of the Decision. This possibility exists for
ISCC, REDcert or 2BSvS.
The NL Agency report on “Scheme changes and cross-recognition” recommends to
focus on monitoring scheme changes after their recognition. It also recommends
improving the procedure for making those changes, and establishing some
guidance for the cross-acceptance of certificates.
• Less policy changes on national level related to the transposition of EU RED are
expected as those have already happened;
• Meanwhile, changes in operating procedures of schemes are continuing;
• This, combined with cross-acceptance of certificates, requires awareness of the
market to understand what certificate they are choosing and what that
represents.
2.5
Most used certification systems on the Dutch market
The Dutch Emissions Authority (Nea) report 2012 on biofuels shows that ISCC is
the most used sustainability system for biofuels in the Netherlands. Its share on
the market has increased from 57.5% in 2011 to 76.2% in 2012. Due to the
possibility of cross-recognition, it is well possible that different systems are used
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at the beginning of the chain. The following certification systems are for the first
time used on the Dutch market in 2012: Bonsucro (0.4%), NTA8080 as recognized
for biofuels (2.4%) and RSB EU RED (0.2%).
The Green Deal report 2013 shows that the Green Gold Label is the most used
sustainability system (52.3%) for solid biomass by those parties that signed the
Green Deal. This is followed by the use of SGS Laborelec (28.4%). Other systems
that have only a minor share in the market are forest certification systems (SFC,
FSC, PEFC) or the NTA8080 (0.6%).
• ISCC is in 2012 the sustainability certification system with the largest share on
the Dutch market for biofuels;
• Due to the possibility of cross-recognition, it is well possible that other systems
are used at the biomass production side. This stresses the urgency for the
market to ask for transparency as it is possible that less strict systems are
presented into the Dutch market with a certificate from a stricter system;
• GGL was the certification system with the largest share on the Dutch market for
solid biomass in 2012 for those parties that signed the Green Deal. The SGS
Laborelec system was the second most used.
•
Pagina 14 van 36
3
Policy discussions and announcements
3.1
European Commission
3.1.1
Status on the EC proposed modifications to the RED
On 11 September the EP voted on a draft legislation to set a 6% cap on the use of
traditional biofuels and a fast switchover to new biofuels from alternative sources
such as seaweed and waste. The measures aim to reduce GHG emissions that
result from the increasing turnover of agricultural land to biofuel production. In
order to try to make up the shortfall created by the cap on first-generation fuels,
the parliament said the EU should set a new 2.5% sub-target for the use of
advanced, non-crop fuels made from algae or agricultural waste in 2020.
Originally, the proposition had set the cap for traditional biofuels from food crops
at 5%. This cap was lifted to 5.5% by the Environmental Committee (ENVI) on a
vote that took place on early July 2013. The EU Industry Research and Energy
Committee had recommended though raising the number to 6.5%. Biofuel
companies that make the first generation biofuel have argued that the proposal
would kill their business and ruin the investments they have made based on the
original EU policy to encourage biofuel. They also said the science on ILUC is too
uncertain to make policy around it.
Rapporteur Ms Lepage, the French liberal Member of European Parliament (MEP),
had submitted a proposal to negotiate with Member States on restraining the use
of biofuels. The ENVI Committee blocked this proposal on October 17.
Consequently, Member States. Member States will now seek a common position of
their own. This debate is ongoing since then with a new proposal end of November
with a 7% cap. A final round of voting on the Bill at the European Council is
planned for December 13. When undefined, the approaching end of the
parliamentary term in April 2014 may delay a final decision.
3.1.2
EP committee backs hierarchy of biomass uses
On May 29th, the ENVI committee of the EP adopted its report on the Bioeconomy
(based on the 2012 EC Communication "Innovating for sustainable growth: a
Bioeconomy for Europe"). A compromise amendment on article 10c) was voted.
The EP emphasises in this report that: “bioeconomy policies must be better
designed to ensure a cascading use of biomass” The report calls for the
development of a legal instrument that will drive a more efficient and sustainable
use of biomass; such an instrument shall establish a cascading use principle in the
'pyramid of biomass', taking into account its different segments and strengthening
it at its highest levels”. This amendment is not in line with the draft report
discussed by the same Committee on the 7th Action Programme for the
environment, which states that: "The cascading principle cannot be disconnected
from the economic context of the different uses to which the biomass resource
may be put". This shows the ongoing internal debate within the EP on the
cascading principle.
Pagina 15 van 36
3.1.3
First meeting of Bioeconomy Panel Europe
The 30 members of Europe's new Bioeconomy Panel met for the first time on 17
September. The panel’s aim is to take a holistic approach to bioeconomy and build
bridges between the different policy areas, sectors and stakeholders to ensure its
coherent development. The Panel discussed a working plan. Regarding thematic
working groups, the Commission's preference is for the following three groups:
biomass supply, the Bioeconomy Observatory and a group looking at the demandside and market, including regulatory barriers.
3.1.4
Anti-dumping duties for Argentinean and Indonesian biodiesel
On May 27, the EC adopted rules to impose a provisional anti-dumping duty on
imports of biodiesel originating from Argentina and Indonesia. On 22 October
2013, EU Member States have agreed on imposing indeed higher duties as of end
of November 2013 after further procedural steps. Argentina plans to challenge this
decision at World Trade Organization (WTO). Indonesia expects its industry to
appeal against the EU duties.
The Argentinean “Consultora Investigaciones Económicas Sectoriales” mentions a
significant drop on the production of biodiesel in the first eight months of 2013.
The production dropped with 39.7% compared to lost year, reducing to an export
value (602.9 million US$) of 58.4% compared to lost year. Main reasons are the
anti-dumping duty combined with a lower production of soy oil and lower soybean
harvests in 2011/2012.
3.1.5
New forest resources strategy in the EU
A new Forest Strategy responding to the new challenges facing forests and the
forest sector has been published by the EC on 20 September. The New Forest
Strategy identifies the key principles needed to strengthen sustainable forest
management and to improve competitiveness and job creation, in particular in
rural areas. This needs to be done while ensuring forest protection and delivery of
ecosystem services. The Strategy also specifies how the EU wishes to implement
forest-related policies.
3.2
Netherlands: Decisions and announcements
3.2.1
Dutch Roadmap for Sustainable Energy: Amongst others sustainability criteria for
solid biomass
On September 6, the Dutch Government, private sector and NGOs signed the
“Energy Agreement for Sustainable Growth” [Energieakkoord voor duurzame
groei]. Within this Agreement, parties agreed amongst others to cap the
promotion of biomass in coal plants on a maximum of 25 PJ. Government
incentives for large-scale use of biomass will limit itself to new coal plants and coal
plants that were built in the nineties.
The Agreement also states that there will be further sustainability requirements
following the NTA8080. Carbon debt, ILUC and sustainable forest management
(based on FSC) will be included in addition to the requirements as laid down in the
NTA8080 standard. These sustainability requirements will be further formulated in
consultation with government, the energy sector and environmental organizations.
The consultation will make use of outcomes of earlier discussions as the ones held
in the Commission Corbey.
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The sustainability requirements must be determined at the latest on 31 December
2014. These requirements should be further adopted in early 2015 to ensure that
25 PJ biomass will contribute to the realisation of the 14% renewable energy
target in 2020.
3.2.2
Ministerial Agreement on changes
The Ministerial Decree of 31 May 31 2013 makes an adjustment around the topic
of double counting of biofuels in the Regulation on Renewable Energy for
Transport. The Regulation has been adapted amongst others by providing a list of
materials that count double. The materials are listed in an annex of the Decree.
Materials in table 1 of the annex (process waste or process residues), table 2
(waste or residues from agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry) and table
3 (non-food cellulosic material, and ligno-cellulosic materials) do count double.
The materials in table 4 (product and co-product) and table 5 (other materials
such as grass or starchy products) do not count double. A possibility and
procedure is given to provide that materials listed in table 5 can count double
under specific circumstances.
3.2.3
Commission Corbey advices on social responsibility and accelerating introduction
of advanced biofuels
The Advice on Social Responsibility of 8 April 2013 gives input to the debate about
social sustainability criteria in the European biofuels policy. The Advice
recommends expanding the sustainability framework for biofuels with a social
framework. The Commission advises to give a central place to the principle of Free
Prior Informed Consent (FPIC): the principle that a community has the right to
give or withhold its consent to proposed projects that may affect the lands they
customarily own, occupy or otherwise use. The Commission also advises the
Minister to ask companies to report on the social consequences of using biofuels.
The Commission’s Advice on the Accelerated introduction of advanced biofuels
from 3 September 2013 stresses the need for large investments for development.
The Commission recommends three measures for stimulating this development:
• Introducing sub-objectives for blends with advanced biofuels, while removing
the possibility for double counting of biofuels;
• Stimulating innovation through grants or a revolving fund;
• Introducing market incentives by greening the excise system and, or, by
introducing a preferential government procurement policy.
3.2.4
First reporting on sustainability solid biomass 2012 Green Deal
The first reporting on sustainability of solid biomass 2012, as agreed upon in the
Green Deal, was published in September 2013. Participating producers reported
about 2,025 tonnes of solid woody biomass, from which almost half (47%) came
from the Netherlands. The United States, with 29%, was also a major supplier of
wood pellets. Of all reported biomass more than 36% consisted of old, used wood
with low sustainability risks. The remaining (64) consisted of fresh wood, from
which 71% were certified. According to the participants, 15% of the fresh wood
originated from residual streams.
3.2.5
Reporting on sustainability biofuels 2012 by Nea
The Nea report “Naleving jaarverplichting 2012 hernieuwbare energie vervoer en
verplichting brandstoffen luchtverontreiniging” from August 2013 shows that 20%
of the physically delivered raw materials of biofuels in 2012 originated from the
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Netherlands, which is similar to 2011. The share of raw materials from Western
and Eastern Europe in 2012 amounted to over 50% and has increased at the
expense of the share of North America. ISCC is the mostly applied sustainability
system for biofuels that are placed on the Dutch market in 2012 ((76.2%) and its
share has increased compared to 2011. The following certification systems are
used for the first time on the Dutch market in 2012: Bonsucro, NTA8080 (as
recognized for biofuels) and RSB EU RED. The systems 2BSvs, RBSA and REDcert
only have a small share on the Dutch market in 2012. The Nea will pay more
attention in 2013 to operators that have reported their sustainability systems as
“unknown” (0.2%).
3.3
Policy discussions in other EU Member States
3.3.1
UK: UK to introduce sustainability criteria for biomass as of April 2015
The UK Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) has announced in August
that, starting in 2015, the biomass industry must show its fuel is sustainable to
receive financial support. According to the information released by DECC, all
electricity generators of 1 MW capacity or higher that use solid biomass or biogas
feedstock will be required to demonstrate that they are meeting certain
sustainability criteria in order to claim support under the Renewables Obligation
(RO). The DECC estimates the 1 MW threshold will cover approximately 98 percent
of all biomass power generation in the U.K.
In order to ensure sustainability of wood-fuel, the government stated that biomass
electricity have to comply with increasing GHG reduction limits over time (60%
saving in 2015, 72% in 2020 and 75% in 2025) compared to fossil fuel
alternatives. Land criteria are defined as well, which will be different for virgin
wood and all other non-waste biomass. New criteria for sustainable forest
management are formulated paying attention to issues as sustainable harvesting
rates, biodiversity protection and land use rights for indigenous populations.
3.3.2
Spain: CNE Circular established rules for the national sustainability system.
Compliance with sustainability obligations still suspended.
On 9 May 2013, the National Commission of Energy (CNE) issued a Circular
establishing the operating rules of the national system for the sustainability
certification of biofuels and bioliquids. The Circular establishes requirements for all
economic agents along the whole biofuel production and supply chain that opt for
certification with the national system. However the compliance with RED
sustainability requirements is still suspended indefinitely. Earlier in February 2013,
the Royal Decree Law (RDL) 4/2013 suspended for a non-defined period the
obligation to comply with sustainability requirements. This RDL also established
that economic agents are still obliged to present sustainability information to the
CNE during this period. The presentation of information regarding sustainability,
but not its compliance, is a requisite for biofuels to be counted towards the
national target.
3.4
Non-EU policies and announcements
3.4.1
United Nations: Biofuel development should not compromise food security
In October 2013, The Committee on World Food Security (CFS) stressed the link
between biofuels and food security, saying that the "progressive realization of the
right to adequate food for all" should be a priority concern in biofuel development.
Pagina 18 van 36
On the subject of biofuels and food security, informed by a report from the High
Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) on Food Security and Nutrition, the CFS noted that
biofuel development encompassed "both opportunities and risks in economic,
social and environmental aspects," depending on the context and practices. The
report added that: "in some cases, current biofuel production creates competition
between biofuel crops and food crops". The CFS encouraged FAO and other
stakeholders to look at ways to help countries strengthen their capacities to assess
their situation with regards to biofuels, taking into account food security concerns
at global, regional and national levels, and legitimate land tenure rights.
3.4.2
USA: USDA to support advanced biofuels production
On 21 October 2013, the USDA announced the support to the production of
advanced biofuels, through stimulating appropriate technologies to commercialscale biorefineries or retrofit existing facilities. The support of 181 million US$ is
part of the Biorefinery Assistance Program. In addition, the USDA announced in
September 2013 the support of 188 US biofuels producers through another 15.5
million US$. This support is part of the Advanced biofuel Payment Program, also
supporting advanced biofuels production under the 2008 Farm Bill.
3.4.3
USA: EPA finalized 2013 Renewable Fuel Standards
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) set in August 2013 the Standard
for cellulosic biofuel at 6 million ethanol-equivalent gallons. This action also sets
the 2013 volume requirements for advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel at
the levels required by the statute: 2.75 and 16.55 billion gallons, respectively. EPA
previously set the 2013 volume requirement for biomass-based diesel in a
separate action, finalizing a volume of 1.28 billion gallons. All the given volumes
are ethanol-equivalent, except for biomass-based diesel, which is actual volume.
EPA is providing extra time to obligated parties to demonstrate compliance with
the 2013 standards by extending the compliance deadline from February 28 to
June 30, 2014. The EPA Notice acknowledges that there are constraints in the
market’s ability to consume renewable fuels at the volumes specified in the Clean
Air Act in future years, and states that the EPA anticipates proposing adjustments
to the 2014 volume requirements in the 2014 Rule to address these constraints.
3.4.4
Brazil: Regulator sets new jet biofuel laws
In June 2013, the Brazilian energy regulator ANP outlined new rules to include up
to 50% renewable fuel in airplanes. The rules entail that the production of biokerosene includes, among others, sugarcane, coal and shale gas.
3.4.5
Brazil: Support to the sugar-ethanol industry with tax cuts and subsidies
On 23 April 2013, the Brazilian government announced support to the sugarethanol industry through two measures: Tax cuts and government-subsidized
credits. The tax cuts, from 12% to almost zero will come in addition to the
previously announced mandatory blends of 25% anhydrous ethanol in gasoline as
of May 1st. Together this will secure a vast amount of the biofuel used. Following
this, the investment climate for ethanol outputs will improve. The governmentsubsidized credits are a 2 billion US$ credit to finance replanting of cane fields and
a 914 million US$ credit to finance storage of ethanol over the inter-harvest
period.
Pagina 19 van 36
3.4.6
South Africa: Mandatory biofuels blending into effect
As of October 1st 2013, biofuels blending mandates E2 and B5 have come into
effect in South Africa while, a Biofuels Pricing Framework will be released end of
2013. These supporting measures aim to give an impulse to the South Africa’s
Biofuel Industrial Strategy‘s targets. Biofuels approved for blending are bioethanol,
from sugar and starch crops, and biodiesel from vegetable oils. Maize is not
approved from its use in biofuels due to its importance as food crop.
3.4.7
Indonesia: Government launched biofuel policy
Indonesia decided in August 2013 to boost biodiesel use to support its economy by
reaching a B10 blend as fast as possible. Already biodiesel prices in the country
are lower than diesel imports.
3.4.8
Philippines: Update of biodiesel standard to be in line with international
specifications
In August 2013, the Philippines Department of Energy has updated its biodiesel
standard to align with national and international fuel quality standards. The new
standard includes changes to improve oxidation stability, sulphur content, as well
as dealing with carbon residue, iodine number and total contamination.
3.4.9
Zimbabwe: Mandatory 10 percent blending ethanol
This October, Zimbabwe introduced a mandatory blending ratio of 10% with
ethanol, with potential for further increase.
Pagina 20 van 36
4
Sustainability certification of biomass
This chapter will first discuss the developments in certification schemes, followed
by an update on the development of standardization for sustainability of
bioenergy. Only EU recognized schemes for biofuels are listed that have news
developments relevant to mention.
Certification schemes:
4.1
Bonsucro
Early June 2013, Bonsucro has achieved ISEAL full membership status. This
reflects its full compliance with ISEAL’s Standard-Setting Code and other
internationally recognized guidance (e.g. ISO17011), as well as its steady path to
meeting the requirements of ISEAL’s Impacts Code.
4.2
ISCC
ISCC has developed new system documentation and procedures for the
certification of biodiesel plants under the ISCC DE standard. These documents
have been recognized by the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food in Germany.
4.3
Initiative Wood Pellet Buyers (IWPB) becomes SBP
The IWPB has changed its name to Sustainable Biomass Partnership (SBP), due to
the broader focus that the organization aims to achieve. The focus will change
from wood pellets alone to solid biomass as a whole. There have been
organizational changes as well, now also including specialists in Corporate Social
Responsibility (CSR) and experts in forestry as contributors, next to biomass
buyers.
4.4
NTA8080 and inclusion in ITC Standards Map
The NTA8080 is continuing the revision of its standard. Meanwhile, the NTA8080 is
added to the Standards Map, an online comparison-tool developed by the
International Trade Centre. The Standards Map is an interactive online database of
over 120 voluntary standards, operating in over 200 countries.
The addition of NTA8080 in the Map provides companies the possibility to analyse,
compare, review and understand requirements of the NTA8080 certification
system in relation with other sustainability systems.
4.5
REDcert
In reaction to provisions of the Federal Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE) on
inspections and changes in the German Nabisy system, REDcert made various
small changes in its system documentation. REDcert has also developed a new
tool for its participants to search for a NUTS2 region for Germany. The GHG values
of the respective NUTS2 region and the respective NUTS2 values for various
biomass types can be used as alternatives to the familiar partial default values for
GHG emissions in farming. The tool also makes it possible to choose between the
unit kg CO2-eq/t and g CO2 eq/MJ.
REDcert and ISCC adopted a rule on the acceptance of waste and residues.
Participants to the REDcert EU certification system may only accept waste and
Pagina 21 van 36
residues as sustainable if materials are collected and processed under the
REDcert-EU or ISCC-EU system. This means that waste and residual materials, or
products made from them, from other EC-approved certification systems may not
be accepted as sustainable as long as these systems have not been checked by
REDcert and approved as equivalent.
4.6
RSB: The Roundtable on sustainable biomaterials
The RSB has broadened its scope and name. RSB’s scope has broadened from
solely biofuels to biomaterials, including bio-products derived from biomass such
as bio-chemicals and bioplastics. The full name of the RSB is now the ‘Roundtable
on Sustainable Biomaterials’. There have been organizational changes as well,
including a new secretariat and governance structure. The RSB also entered into a
service and license agreement with Accreditation Services International (ASI).
These changes aim to ensure transparency and efficient decision-making.
The RSB Assembly of Delegates approved the implementation of the Low Indirect
Impact Biofuels (LIIB) approach as a built-in complementary module. This module
is based on experiences in pilot studies (supported by NL Agency). The module is
proposed to RSB- certified companies willing to demonstrate a low risk of creating
indirect impacts and will remain voluntary.
The RSB also embarked in a new gap analysis of the Bonsucro Standard, in
partnership with ISEAL. The first step of this analysis consisted in a comparison of
sustainability requirements of Bonsucro with the sustainability requirements
described in the RSB standard. On the basis of this gap analysis and due
consideration for implementation aspects, the RSB aims to establish a simplified
procedure for Bonsucro certified operators willing to obtain RSB certification
4.7
RSPO: a new version of principles and criteria
As part of its continuous improvements, the RSPO General Assembly has approved
its revised Principles & Criteria (2013). These revisions entail additional or more
stringent criteria on GHG emissions, pesticides, peat planting, forced labour,
human rights and corruption. Its further implementation will take place through a
process called ‘National Interpretation’, where the revised principles and criteria
are further aligned with existing national legislation by means of stakeholder
participation.
Developments in standardization:
4.8
BIOGRACE II
On June 1st 2013, the EC published the Decision to recognize the BioGrace GHG
calculation tool as a voluntary scheme for biofuels and other bioliquids. The used
methodology in the tool is considered to be in line with the sustainability criteria
for greenhouse gas emissions of both the RED and FQD.
At the same time, the BioGrace-II project is developing a tool that aims to
harmonise calculations of GHG emissions for electricity, heat and cooling from
biomass throughout the European Union. A preliminary version of the tool and
calculation rules are ready and were already discussed with stakeholders in small
groups during five feedback sessions in the last months.
Pagina 22 van 36
4.9
CEN/ISO developments on standardizing sustainability of bioenergy
The CEN Technical Committee 383 on ‘Sustainability produced biomass for energy’
has adopted the part on the chain-of-custody, as being CEN / TS 16214-2. It is
possible that additional work is required because of possible changes within the
European Commission and Parliament.
A second concept of a standard for the ISO 13065 on ‘Sustainability criteria for
bioenergy’ has been circulated from mid June to mid September for voting and
comments. Comments are being discussed in working groups until mid December.
The objective is to get agreement on the final discussion points in mid 2014 and to
proceed with the public comment document from then onwards.
4.10
GBEP: first lessons learnt from pilot studies
The Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) has developed 24 sustainability
indicators that can be used at country level and give an indication of the
sustainability of bioenergy in that country over time. The indicators are currently
tested in pilot studies in various countries so far. Ecofys has completed a study in
November 2013, commissioned by the Dutch government, to draw overall lessons
of five of these pilot studies; the ones conducted in the Netherlands, Ghana,
Germany, Indonesia and Colombia. The study showed that the indicators provide a
good basis for developing (further) bioenergy policies. Using the indicators has
provided countries a good insight in the available data that can be used for
monitoring the bioenergy sector. Lessons are learnt on how to further improve the
data collection and its collection methodologies. Detailed lessons learnt are given
for each indictor.
Pagina 23 van 36
5
International co-operation / projects
5.1
Biobased Industries Public Private Partnership launched
Forty-eight large and small companies grouped under the Biobased Industry
Consortium, have joined forces with the EC to set up a Public-Private Partnership.
The Partnership is worth a €1 billion of EU funds from the new Horizon 2020
program. A €2.8 billion is earmarked to accelerate the deployment of biobased
products in Europe by 2020. The Partnership is part of the EC’s Innovation and
Investment Package that was released on 10 July.
5.2
The Biomass Policies Project
The “Biomass Policies” project, a EU funded project, started in April 2013 and will
be running to March 2016. The project aims to build up a consistent knowledge
base both for the efficient resource mobilisation including sustainability criteria,
costs, logistics and availability. Knowledge is also built for the assessment of
resource efficient biomass value chains (with a set of consistent technical
indicators) based on recent information from three recent EU funded studies.
5.3
EC: Aid for 3rd generation biorefineries
The EC has decided in May 2013 that the € 39 million Aid granted by France to the
Institut d’Excellence en Énergies Décarbonées (IEED, institute of excellence in the
field of low-carbon energy) complies with the EU rules on state aid. The aim of the
funded Genesys project is to develop “zero-waste, positive-energy”
third-generation biorefineries using oilseed and lignocellulosic biomass
(agricultural and forestry residues and urban waste) to produce clean energy
(electricity, heat), as well as food products and chemicals. The project aims for
around 100 scientific publications per year and the filing of some 40 patents on
oilseeds and lipids over the next 10 years (patent pool).
5.4
European Commission: Biofuels FlightPath event "Beyond CO2:
Biokerosene, engine emissions and technical constraints"
In April 2013, The Directorate-General for Energy organised the Workshop
“Beyond CO2: Biokerosene, engine emissions and technical constraints” in
collaboration with the Core Team of the Biofuels FlightPath 2020 Initiative. The
purpose of the workshop was to discuss with key stakeholders environmental
issues other than CO2 related to the use of biofuels in aviation.
5.5
FAO: New tool for the assessment of forest biomass and carbon stocks
A new online platform launched by Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on
June 2013 allows countries to improve the assessment of forest volumes, biomass
and carbon stocks. These data are crucial for research in climate change and
mitigation activities, such as increasing the carbon stock in forests through
reforestation, and for bioenergy development
5.6
GRFA: Biofuel Production Mandates Overview
In August 2013, The Global Renewables Fuels Alliance (GRFA) announced an
interactive map showing the current mandate and planned targets for biofuel
production in countries across the globe. The map shows 62 countries with
biofuels friendly policies. The map can be viewed at the site:
http://globalrfa.org/biofuels-map/
Pagina 24 van 36
5.7
IFAD and ICRAF: Development of Alternative Biofuel Crops
The World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and the International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD) have launched the IFAD-ICRAF Programme for the
Development of Alternative Biofuel Crops, an initiative focused on providing clean
energy for rural communities, enhancing local food security and increasing
subsistence farmers' resilience to climate change. The program will develop and
scale up pro-poor, sustainable biofuel production models in Asia, Africa and Latin
America and help determine to what extent sustainable biofuels can reduce our
dependence on fossil fuels.
5.8
SAHYOG: Strengthening Networking on Biomass Research and Biowaste
Conversion – Biotechnology for Europe India Integration
The objective of the project SAHYOG is to actively and effectively link research
activities implemented within EU research programmes and related programmes
by Indian national institutions. One of the aims of the project is to develop a
Strategic Research Agenda and a roadmap for the advancement of RTD with
mutual benefits. Twinning of large sets of research projects, as well as short-term
exchange visits of researchers are implemented. Based on SAHYOG findings, RTD
Roadmaps are elaborated through consultation with stakeholders. A minisymposium on “Developments in Sustainable Biomass Valorisation EU-India R&D
collaboration on Biomass and Biowaste” was organized in Utrecht on 28 and 29
October 2013.
Pagina 25 van 36
6
Reports
6.1
AEBIOM: Forest sustainability and carbon balance
The report “Forest Sustainability and Carbon Balance of EU Importation of North
American Forest Biomass for Bioenergy Production” was published by European
Biomass Association (AEBIOM) in September 2013. The report focuses on the
Southeast region of the US and British Columbia in Canada. Main findings are that
the use of solid biomass for power generation achieves significant carbon savings.
An immediate or very rapid contribution to climate change mitigation can be
observed, when assumptions and real data from the field are used for modelling
forest carbon dynamics.
6.2
Ecofys: Low ILUC potential of wastes and residues for biofuels
In this report published in September 2013, Ecofys shows with the LIIB
methodology that the assessed waste and residue materials have substantial
sustainable potentials and varying low ILUC potentials. A substantial quantity of
cereal straw and forestry residues could be harvested and used for biofuels, but
that an even greater quantity cannot be harvested without risking serious negative
sustainability impacts. The current proposed positive lists for multiple counting do
not limit the quantitative use of specific materials, in theory allowing both straw
and ‘bark, branches, leaves, saw dust and cutter shavings’ (woody residues) to be
completely harvested and used for biofuels.
In order to reconcile the need for truly sustainable biofuels and the need to avoid
negative sustainability impacts it would be necessary to introduce a maximum
removal rate for primary land-using agricultural and forestry wastes and residues
before these materials are included in the positive lists. This report was
commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature
Conservation and Nuclear Safety, the German Federal Environment Agency, the
German Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffen, the Dutch Ministry of
Infrastructure and the Environment, and the Danish Energy Agency.
6.3
E-PURE: Biofuels, food security and grab lands
The European Association e-Pure, representing the renewable ethanol industry,
published in August 2013 two reports ordered to Ecofys. The first report, “Biofuels
and food security- Risks and opportunities”, explores the background and details
of the 2006-2008 food crises and the 2011 commodity price spike. The study
concludes that the contribution of biofuels to price changes remained very small.
Systemic factors, like for example reduced reserves, food waste, speculation,
transportation issues or hoarding played a much larger role in local food price
changes. The second report, “Land grabs for biofuels”, concludes that the acreage
of land possibly subject to land grabbing caused by EU biofuels demand is far less
than often presented in the debate: “At best, only 0.5% of all deals in the Land
Matrix concern land grabs for EU biofuels.”
6.4
EurObser’ER annual biofuels barometer 2012 released
EurObserv’ER has released its annual Biofuels Barometer, reporting increased
biofuel consumption within the European Union in 2012. Between 2011 and 2012,
consumption grew by 2.9%, to nearly 14.4 million metric tons of oil equivalent
Pagina 26 van 36
(Toe). According to the report, biofuels accounted for approximately 4.7 percent of
transportation fuel within the EU last year.
6.5
FAO and ICTSD: Global biofuel trade - How uncoordinated biofuel policy
fuels resource use and GHG emissions
In May 2013, the FAO and International Centre for Trade and Sustainable
Development (ICTSD) released their joint study on biofuel policies and counterproductive arbitrage. The study explains the two-way trade of homogeneous
products due to uncoordinated environmental legislation, resulting in additional
fossil energy consumed and the associated emissions from transport.
6.6
GIZ: Lessons learned on the procedure for the recognition of schemes
On April 2013, the German Agency for International Cooperation published a
report produced by SQ Consult on the Recognition of private certification schemes
for public recognition: Lessons learned from the Renewable Energy Directive. The
recognition process for biofuel sustainability schemes started in 2010 and has
been a continuous learning process for all stakeholders. The experiences gathered
and analysed up to now represent a snapshot of two years (2010–2012) of
implementing co-regulation. The lessons learned in this on-going learning process
are presented in this study. These lessons aim to be useful for designing future coregulation processes. Possible future co-regulation processes include the private
certification of biomass for producing electricity and heat or compliance with
sustainability requirements established by public procurement regulations.
6.7
International
Energy
Agency
(IEA)
Bioenergy
Task
40:
Future
perspectives of international bioenergy trade
This study published in August 2013 aims to provide insight into "possible futures"
of bioenergy trade and discusses implications and challenges related to different
developments. The report gives insight into future scenarios and perspectives of
bioenergy trade. It reveals that substantial challenges for future development of
global and international bioenergy trade may be expected in the coming decades if
a low carbon energy system is to be developed.
6.8
IEA Bioenergy Task 40: Low cost, Long Distance Biomass Supply Chains
This report from August 2013 focuses on long-distance biomass supply chains,
including ground-based supply of raw biomass to densification plants, and
transportation of densified biomass to ports in other continents. The report aims to
provide an overview of the characteristics of three densified biomass forms; solid
wood pellets, solid torrefied wood and liquid pyrolysis oil. It outlines for these
biomass products existing and future markets and specific supply chains, while
exploring large sources of biomass worldwide. The report highlights the
importance of the costs of logistics in biomass supply chains and illustrates current
cost structures of existing long-distance biomass supply chains. The report
explores how the cost of current and future long-distance supply chains of wood
pellets, torrefied pellets and pyrolysis oil could be lowered, and what this would
require form the stakeholders involved.
Pagina 27 van 36
6.9
IEA Bioenergy Task 40: History, status & outlook on securing sustainable
bioenergy supply, demand and markets
The book, finished in May 2013, analyses the trade of global bioenergy
commodities, such as ethanol, biodiesel and wood pellets. These commodities
have been growing exponentially in the past decade, and have by 2013 reached
true "commodity" volumes, i.e. tens of millions of tonnes traded each year, and
billions (both in US$/EUR) of annual turnover.
6.10
IEA
Bioenergy
Task
40:
The
Science-Policy
Interface
on
the
Environmental Sustainability of Forest Bioenergy
This publication from May 2013 reports on the discussions and opinions expressed
during an expert workshop on the environmental sustainability of forest bioenergy
in Canada, held in Quebec on 3 to 5 October 2012. The workshop was organised
by the IEA Bioenergy Task 40 and Task 43 (Biomass Feedstocks for Energy
Markets), the IEA Bioenergy Executive Committee, the Faculty of Forestry,
Geomatics and Geography of Laval University (Quebec, Canada), and Natural
Resources Canada, with collaboration from the Global Bioenergy Partnership and
the Canadian Council of Forest Ministers. Participants engaged in dialogue critical
for the formulation of rational policy to achieve sustainable forest bioenergy
production systems.
6.11
IUCN: Betting on best quality certification for biomass, soy and palm oil
On 28 November, IUCN presented this report at the WWF Biofuel workshop in
Brussels. This report aims to provide insight in the quality and level of assurance
of voluntary schemes fro biomass, soy and palm oil, and help stakeholders to bet
on best quality certification. The report combines a thorough review by Proforest
of eight existing benchmarking studies covering the ten most commonly used
schemes. The study follows with additional in-depth analysis and further
interpretation by SQ Consult in Guidance for companies on how to select best
quality schemes. An indicative score of high, good, medium and low quality is
given to all 10 compared schemes. Several recommendations are made to the EC,
certification schemes and companies in the biofuel industry.
6.12
JRC: Carbon accounting of forest bioenergy
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) published the report on “Carbon accounting of
forest bioenergy” in April 2013. JRC concludes in this report that the assumption
of carbon neutrality, as described in the RED, is not true for every biomass type in
the short term.
6.13
KPMG: A roadmap to responsible soy: Approaches to increase certification
and reduce risk
This study published in May 2013 identifies four key barriers to mainstreaming
responsible soy production. The report presents a roadmap to overcome them and
a framework of actions to assist companies in developing an effective response
strategy. The Roadmap highlights that only 2 to 3% of soy production is currently
certified as responsibly-produced, lagging far behind other commodities such as
palm oil, cocoa and coffee. This brings reputational and commercial risks to endusers including manufacturers of food, animal feed and biofuel. The Roadmap to
Responsible Soy is published in collaboration with the Sustainable Trade Initiative
(IDH), WWF, FMO (the Netherlands Development Finance Company) and the
International Finance Corporation (IFC).
Pagina 28 van 36
6.14
NL Agency: Biomass merits of bamboo, switchgrass, wheat and rice straw
Three different studies were completed in July 2013 by Food and Biobased
Research (part of Wageningen University and Research centre) to critically review
the biomass merits of bamboo, switchgrass, wheat and rice straw. The reports
present separate analyses of the production system and reviews for various
biobased application options and they also discuss relevant sustainability issues.
The reports show that each feedstock has its own ramifications, although
switchgrass seems to be the better option if this is the main application. Due to
the low production cost involved, and due to the productivity of the crop on lower
quality soils it may have a role to play when ILUC avoidance is important.
6.15
NL Agency: Combining bioenergy production and food security
This report, published in May 2013, analyses how bioenergy can be produced
within the context of food insecurity. The Dutch government has set four goals for
food security in Dutch Development Cooperation policy: i) Increased sustainable
food production, ii) Improved access to food of sufficient quality, iii) improved
functioning of markets and iv) improved investment climate. The report explores
to what extent biomass production for biofuels is consistent with each of the goals
of food security policy of the Netherlands. The report aims to contribute to Dutch
Development Cooperation policy on food security by showing ways and best
practices on how the production and use of biomass for bioenergy can best be
combined with food production and food security.
6.16
NL Agency: Competition in wood waste: inventory of policies and markets
The report by SQ Consult on “Competition in wood waste: inventory of policies and
markets” from April 2013 discusses the legislative framework of wood waste in
Europe and in the Netherlands, the UK and in Belgium. Market developments of
wood waste in Europe and the selected European countries are discussed as well,
both from a supply and a demand perspective. Conclusions are given on the risk
for competition in the wood waste market, with recommendations on how the use
of wood waste pellets for energy can be increased while avoiding negative indirect
sustainability effects to competitive markets.
Pagina 29 van 36
6.17
NL Agency: Handbook on sustainability certification of solid biomass for
energy production
This Handbook was published in November 2013. Its objective is to facilitate
market players and other stakeholders in information gathering and informed
decision-making in relation to sustainability certification of solid biomass, and a
number of related issues. Market players in international or national chains of solid
biomass production, processing and use (bio-energy producers) can use this
handbook, as well as other stakeholders in sustainability certification of solid
biomass. The Handbook has a modular structure and provides per chapter
information about e.g. certification schemes, legislative developments or practical
tools for assessing sustainability impacts.
6.18
6.19
NL Agency: New tool assesses charcoal alternatives with underlying cases
A new tool has come online in September 2013 that assesses the opportunities
and threats for several promising alternatives to charcoal. To sustainably introduce
a new source of energy, a reliable and sufficient supply chain is necessary to
guarantee its availability to households. This is difficult, however. A new
'alternative charcoal tool' (ACT) has been developed by environment consultancy
BTG with funding from NL Agency. The tool allows users to assess these obstacles
and opportunities for supply chains that involve any of the several promising
feedstock alternatives (e.g. processing residues, energy crops and harvest
residues). The tool, based on case studies, is meant to be a source of information
as well as a decision making tool.
NL Agency: Smallholder certification in biomass supply chains, challenges
and strategies
This study, published in June 2013, focuses on the certification of smallholders in
the biomass for energy production market or the bio-energy market. Experiences
on smallholder certification from other commodities (e.g. coffee) are also used for
lessons learnt. Smallholders are considered by many as a specific target group in
Pagina 30 van 36
the context of production and certification of agricultural production and
substantial efforts are being undertaken to include them in supply chains. The
study identifies the benefits for including certified smallholders in biomass supply
chains as well as the challenges and risks associated with smallholder certification.
6.20
PBL and Alterra: Climate effects of wood used for bioenergy
This PBL–Alterra Note, published in August 2013, focuses on the potential effects
on CO2 emissions and climate change of using wood from different sources, and
discusses the risk for carbon debt. A short overview of the most important aspects
of carbon balances for wood and the resulting CO2 flows is presented in the report,
as well as a number of other relevant issues for climate change and their policy
implications. The overview is based on the literature, including recent reviews of
scientific information, in combination with additional model calculations and
analyses.
6.21
UNCTAD: Wake up before it’s too late
The report, published in September 2013, mentions that the 2008 food crisis was
an important catalyst for realizing the need for a fundamental transformation and
questioning some of the assumptions that had driven food, agricultural and trade
policy in recent decades. The report states that the world needs a paradigm shift
in agricultural development: from a “green revolution” to an “ecological
intensification” approach. Elements for the required transformation of agriculture
are given and include optimization of fertilizer use, reduction of direct and indirect
GHG emissions and reduction of waste through the food chains.
6.22
USDA GAIN: EU biofuels annual 2013
This US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Global Agriculture Information Network
(GAIN) report, published on 13 August 2013, presents the situation and outlook
for biofuels in the EU. The report highlights that about a fifth of the domestic use
of transport biofuels was imported from outside the EU from 2007 to 2012. Since
then, a series of trade actions have been imposed to hinder this trade of
bioethanol and biodiesel. The EC expects that solid biomass for heat and power
generation will play an important role in meeting the 20% target for renewable
energy use by 2020.
6.23
USDA GAIN: Bundle of biofuels annual country reports 2013
The USDA GAIN published between June and September 2013 a bundle of biofuels
annual country reports with all highlights of the biofuel industries during 2012 on
those countries. Available reports are the: Brazil – Biofuels Annual; China –
Biofuels Annual; India – Biofuels Annual; Guatemala – Biofuels Annual; Paraguay
– Biofuels Annual; Indonesia – Biofuels Annual; Philippines – Biofuels Annual;
Russian Federation – Biofuels Annual; Malaysia – biofuels Annual; Peru – Biofuels
Annual; Australia – Biofuels Annual; Argentina – Biofuels Annual; Japan – Biofuels
Annual; Thailand – Biofuels Annual; Colombia – Biofuels Annual; and Canada –
Biofuels Annual.
6.24
WWF: Searching for sustainability - Comparative analysis of certification
schemes
On 28 November, WWF-DE presented this report at the WWF Biofuels workshop
taking place in the WWF European police office in Brussels. This study assessed EC
recognised schemes against a Certification Assessment Tool (CAT) developed by
WWF. The study concluded that schemes fall short of ensuring of ensuring that
Pagina 31 van 36
Europe's push towards increased biofuel use is not contributing to environmental
destruction and social exploitation. The study found that many of the analysed
standards had middle to low-level performance.
6.25
WWF: 2013 Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard
WWF has published early November 2013 the “Palm Oil Buyers Scorecard”. The
scorecard assesses the performance of 130 major retailers, food service
companies and consumer goods and other manufacturers worldwide on their use
of certified sustainable palm oil. The scorecard shows the individual performance
of companies in Europe, Asia and in the US. Results can be compared with earlier
scorings in 2009 and 2011.
Pagina 32 van 36
7
List of important abbreviations
AEBIOM
European Biomass Association
CFS
Committee on World Food Security
CSR
Corporate Social Responsibility
EC
European Commission
ENVI
Environmental Committee
EPA
Environmental Protection Agency
EP
European Parliament
EU
European Union
EUTR
European Union Timber Regulation
FAO
Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
FPIC
Free Prior Informed Consent
FQD
Fuel Quality Directive
GAIN
Global Agriculture Information Network
GHG
Green House Gas
GIZ
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
GRFA
Global Renewables Fuels Alliance
IEA
International Energy Agency
IEED
Institut d’Excellence en Énergies Décarbonées
ICRAF
World Agroforestry Centre
ICTSD
International Centre for Trade and Sustainable Development
IFAD
International Fund for Agricultural Development
ILUC
Indirect Land Use Change
JRC
Joint Research Centre
MEP
Member of European Parliament
Pagina 33 van 36
Nea
Dutch Emissions Authority
NPSB
Netherlands Programmes Sustainable Biomass
RED
Renewable Energy Directive
RES
Renewable Energy Sources
UCO
Used Cooking Oil
UKDECC
UK Department of Energy and Climate Change
UNCTAD
UN Conference on Trade and Development
USDA
US Department of Agriculture
USEPA
US Environmental Protection Agency
WTO
World Trade Organization
Pagina 34 van 36
8
Disclaimer
This information bulletin was compiled by the Netherlands Programmes
Sustainable Biomass, consisting of:
•
The Sustainable Biomass Import programme (by order of the Ministry of
Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation)
•
The Global Sustainable Biomass programme (by order of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs)
•
The Daey Ouwens Fund (by order of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
These programmes are being executed by NL Energy and Climate (NL Agency).
Although this information bulletin has been produced with the greatest possible
care, NL Energy and Climate cannot be held responsible for any errors that it may
contain. The bulletin does not reflect the opinions of NL Energy and Climate.
For more information about the abovementioned programmes or for any questions
or
comments
about
this
information
bulletin,
please
contact
[email protected].
Pagina 35 van 36
Page 36 of 36

NPSB Information Bulletin 2

Transcription

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