Certification criteria for sustainable biomass for energy

Abstract

Rising energy prices, geopolitics as well as concerns over increasing oil prices, national
\nsecurity, and the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions on global climate change are driving
\nlarge-scale efforts to implement bioenergy alternatives. Biomass fuels offer many new
\nopportunities, but if not managed carefully, they may also carry significant risks. Biomass in
\nthis context is non-fossil material of biological origin from forest, energy crops, agriculture
\nand different kind of wastes.
\n
\nMarkets for energy generated from biomass are expanding at a fast pace. Sustainable use of
\nbiomass as an energy source requires comprehensive management of natural, social and
\neconomic resources. Establishing certification schemes is a possible strategy to ensure that
\nbioenergy is produced in a sustainable manner.
\n
\nAt this time, a clear certification of traded biomass is needed. Different types of certification
\nsystems, international standards and initiatives relevant to biomass production already exist.
\nHowever, an analysis of the experience gained with these systems, reveal that they are not
\neffective to monitor and manage all effects of biomass production for energy. There is no
\ninternational consensus on universal sustainability requirements and the inclusion or
\nexclusion of certain exemplary criteria is one of the difficulties of setting up a certification
\nscheme.
\n
\nThe role of certification efforts in this report is to participate in creation of a global market for
\nsustainable biomass fuels and in extension sustainable bioenergy. In attempt to support the
\ndevelopment of an implementable international certification scheme for sustainable biomass
\nproduction, the existing Forest Certification Schemes were evaluated against environmental
\nsustainability through 15 indicators and against social and economic sustainability through 19
\nindicators identified from literature. The set of principles and criteria suggested is the final
\nresult of sampling, evaluation, filtering and completion following a review of literature,
\nanalysis of the activity and experience in forestry as well as in the other sectors.
\n
\nPRINCIPLE 1: Biomass shall be produced in an environmentally responsible way. Principle 1
\nis covered by the following criteria: the use of chemicals; forest/land management planning;
\nforest/land monitoring; maintenance of biological diversity; protection of areas of high
\necological value; protection of the soil and prevention of erosion; protection or enhancement
\nof water quality and regeneration following harvesting.
\n
\nPRINCIPLE 2: Sustainable management of social capital. Principle 2 is covered by the
\nfollowing criteria: recognition and respect for the customary and traditional rights of
\nindigenous/local people; protecting the health and safety of employees; provision of
\ninformation to increase public awareness of forest management planning, forest operations
\nand/or forest outcomes; protection of areas of particular historic, cultural or spiritual value
\nand the rights of children.
\n
\nPRINCIPLE 3: Biomass production shall be economically viable. Principle 3 is covered by
\nthe criterion: maintenance or enhancement of the economic viability of operations.
\n
\nThe proposed system has a hierarchical structure in which the overall task of avoiding
\nunsustainable biomass is translated into three principles. Each of the principles is designed to
\nensure that biomass is produced in accordance with sustainability requirements. The goal of
\nthe principles is to promote environmentally responsible, socially beneficial and economically
\nviable management of the biomass-for-energy production systems, by establishing a
\nworldwide standard of recognized and respected Principles of Biomass Certification System.
\nEach principle is in the next hierarchical level guaranteed by a number of workable
\nsustainability criteria.