Sustainability certification of biomass and biofuels

- experiences and deliverables

from the NPSB project portfolio

Arjen Brinkmann

Brinkmann Consultancy

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NPSB project portfolio

• Approx. 40 biomass projects

• Large variety in types of biomass, countries, business models, etc.

• > 10 projects envisaged biomass certification

• 3 projects successfully completed certification, others still in the process

• Projects developed tools and guidance to facilitate certification (processes)

-> Some key findings in this presentation

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Objectives of biomass certification

1. Compliance with regulatory requirements

-> EU RED sustainability requirements for biofuels and bioliquids

-> Use of approved ‘voluntary schemes’ (certification schemes)

2. Market requirements (i.e. from biomass buyers)

3. Requirements from other stakeholders (financers, civil society)

3. Corporate Social Responsibility

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Process towards certification

Process towards certification is easier if:

1. Organizational structure of biomass projects has already been established

2. Project operators are familiar with certification

3. Type of biomass is residues (as compared to (innovative) biomass crops)

4. Biomass operations are at larger scale (as compared to smallholder production)

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Reasons not to pursue certification

1. No regulatory or market requirements, e.g. biomass application in local markets

2. Perceived complexity of certification

3. Costs of certification – Direct costs: costs of verification, and costs of participation in certification scheme

– Indirect costs: preparation for certification, including potential investments

N.B. Certification proved particularly challenging for smallholder producers

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Added value of process towards certification

• Certification may not be an objective in itself (in the short term), however the process towards certification can be of great benefit.

• Working with a biomass sustainability standard provides framework to:

1. Assess sustainability performance of operations (self-assessment)

2. Improve documentation management and operational procedures

3. Liaise effectively with stakeholders

And for smallholder projects also:

4. Improved organisational structure

5. Improved agronomic practices

-> Involve smallholders on basis of positive agenda

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The NPSB project portfolio has generated a large number of deliverables….

…. in particular in relation to improved (processes towards) certification…

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Tools & guidance to facilitate certification(I)

• ‘How to select a biomass certification scheme?’

• ‘Selecting a biomass certification scheme – a benchmark on level of assurance, costs and benefits?’

• ‘Handbook sustainability certification of solid biomass’

• ‘Handbook sustainability certification of biogas (in Dutch)’

• ‘How to execute a stakeholder consultation? – a guidance note’

• ‘Smallholder certification in biomass chains: guidance manual’

• ‘Options for carbon financing of biomass projects’

• ‘Factsheet Good corporate governance in biomass projects’

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Tools & guidance to facilitate certification (II)

• ‘Recommendations for integrating community maps in spatial planning’

• ‘Producer Support & Loyalty Tool for engaging sugarcane farmers in process towards BonSucro certification’

• ‘Monitoring regional impacts of large-scale biomass production’

• ‘BioESoil tool to assess impacts of bio-energy systems on soil quality’

• ‘Toolbox for sustainability self-assessment of jatropha projects’

• ‘Guidelines for sustainability certification of pyrolysis oil’

• Etc.

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Database of NPSB deliverables

http://english.rvo.nl/topcis/sustainability/sustainable-biomass

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Is biomass certification too much focused on ‘ticking the boxes’ (obtaining the certificate)

instead of

creating real benefits and improving the sustainability performance of biomass projects?

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For more information

General documentation and project documentation available from:

http://english.rvo.nl/topcis/sustainability/sustainable-biomass

Or contact:

ella.lammers@rvo.nl

arjen@brinkmann-consultancy.nl

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