FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

What are the greatest sustainability challenges?

The logging of rain and primary forests, the loss of bio diversity, the conversion of high carbon land into agricultural crop areas, improvement of GHG balance of biofuels as well as the compliance of minimum standards within the social sphere (no child labour, no "slave work").

Could the existent sustainability problems be solved with a certification scheme covering only biomass for biofuels production?

No, certification of biofuels is only the beginning. All kinds of use must be included, otherwise a certification scheme cannot be effective. Palm oil, for instance is current mostly used in the food sector, only a very small part is used in biofuel production. If the relatively small quantities of palm oil used for biodiesel manufacturing are produced in a sustainable manner, but the large volumes consumed by the food sectors are still being produced in an unsustainable manner (including burning tropical rainforest to increase palm plantation), all the effort would be invalid.

Will land use change be considered in the project?

The project will address intensively the issue of direct and indirect land use change. This issue is considered the greatest challenge in the international sustainability discussion. However, it is not correct to charge only the biofuels for land use change. The essential drivers for the expansion of cultivated crop areas are population growth and increased prosperity in various development and developing countries.

There are already so many sustainability projects. Why is this project still necessary?

There are many studies considering different sustainability issues. A global approach, accomplishing comprehensive different biomass and biofuels for the practical verification of sustainability and GHG emissions is so far pursued only by ISCC.

Does the German Sustainability Order set the frameworks for the execution of the project?

Currently the German Sustainability Order plays an important role in the execution of the project. However the implementation of a global certification system global in the context of a national regulation is restricted. Therefore, the orientation at European (European Union commission) and international (G8+5) regulations is reasonable.

What is the basic philosophy of the project?

An indispensable pre condition for the implementation of the certification system is the development of a transparent and open multi-stakeholder process. This approach was already set in the conception phase and still pursed now by the involved enterprises and institutions. Who has interest in the project, can still take part.

Doesn't the pilot phase last too long?

The first results from single pilots will be available already after approximately. 3 – 6 months. However, the analysis of all necessary function components to achieve a sustainability guaranty will require a period of approximately 2 years.

Is this not too complicated?

The subject sustainability has many dimensions and is therefore very complex. Apparently simple solutions lead to an implementation with extreme high operational costs and problems, precisely, because the complexity of the subject was not considered.

What happens at the end of the pilot phase?

At the end of the pilot phase, an internationally accepted, well functioning Meta system for the verification of sustainability and GHG emissions will be implemented. The hand-over of the project to an international organization is planned.

Public expectation is very high. Can a certification system make them justice?

Realistic expectations should be set to the system. The certification system will not solve all problems of the world and can not prevent criminal activities. Certification should concentrate on the most urgent and greatest sustainability challenges and set incentives for a sustainable behaviour.