International expert group establishes draft environmental standards for biofuels
Mon 18 August 2008
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A group of UN-backed experts has issued a first draft of new sustainability standards for biofuels. The draft provides a methodology for assessing the economic, social and environmental effects of biofuels. The methodology is based on the work of the LowCVP.
The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) has produced the draft proposals - dubbed 'Version Zero' - intended to form a comprehensive "land to tank" analysis spanning the entire chain of biofuel production. It aims for the standard to be used by all key stakeholders for the analysis of the sustainability of different biofuels.
The environmental organisation WWF broadly welcomed the introduction of the standard saying that the process will "inject some rigour into the murky debate about the embracing of biofuels that may cause more emissions than they save".
The RSB says that it plans to take another six months to hold workshops and receive feedback before releasing 'Version One' next April. It says that 'Version Zero' does not delve into whether biofuels as a whole are sustainable, or speculate about the amount of sustainable global production.
The RSB says it has based the draft on work by the Forest Stewardship Council, The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and the Sustainable Agriculture Network as well as the work of the LowCVP.
The group has produced a set of guiding principles for biofuels production, which should:
• Be legal in the country in which it is produced
• Operate in ways that give voice to all stakeholders
• Help mitigate climate change by offering lower greenhouse gas emissions than conventional fossil fuels
• Not violate human rights or labour rights
• Benefit rural and social development
• Avoid negative impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity
• Improve soil
• Take advantage of surface water and groundwater use and stay in line with existing water rights
• Minimize air pollution
• Prove cost-effective
• Work within parameters of land rights.
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