Project objectives
The overall objective of the project is to test an international, pragmatic certification system, with the lowest possible administrative burden, that reduces the risk of non-sustainable production and can be used as a proof of GHG emissions of biofuels taking account of their entire life cycle.
The concept addresses the main challenges regarding sustainability and GHG reduction. It does not intent to integrate all possible sustainability issues into the system, but focuses on the most urgent problems that are also mentioned in the regulations and guidelines, in order to tackle these problems in a strict and coherent way. In addition, regional and biomass specific aspects should be taken into consideration, for example soil erosion or consequences on water contamination and availability. Besides, criteria must be measurable and verifiable.
The project aims to develop an implementable international certification concept together with representatives from industry, trade, agriculture, the respective associations, as well as representatives from politics and NGOs.
The certification itself shall take place via a lean organization in a cost-effective way and shall be based upon standardized value chains and upon already existing systems. The certification system is designed to fulfil all requirements of the German sustainability regulation and of the proposed EU-guidelines.