8-01: An up-to-date overview and comparison of sustainability certification schemes for biofuels

Recently, the use of biofuels is heavily criticised, doubting its GHG impact and potential to reduce emissions. Other objections relate to the possible negative impacts on water, biodiversity and (direct and indirect) land-use changes due to biomass production for biofuels. While the main concerns currently are focussed on especially first generation feedstocks, they are also highly relevant for second generation lignocellulosic feedstocks. With the strong growing increase in biofuels demand, the need to secure the sustainability of biofuels is acknowledged by various stakeholder groups. Developing principles and establishing certification schemes are recognized as possible strategies that help to ensure the sustainable production of biofuels. This paper presents an up-to-date overview of the wide range of efforts undertaken towards the development of sustainability principles, criteria, indicators and biomass certification systems. The stakeholder groups included are governments, international bodies, NGOs and companies. The paper focuses on which key differences are found between the criteria formulated, the methodologies developed and  the certification systems envisioned by the various initiatives. Their feasibility, cost effectiveness, and contribution to the removal of trade barriers are evaluated. Special attention is given to (partially) conflicting methodologies, e.g. differing GHG emission calculation methodologies, which can cause major differences in total avoided emissions. The paper analyses these developments and provides recommendations on possible harmonization efforts, with a specific focus on the current developments in the European Union. Within this context, comments and possible solutions to overcome different approaches are obtained from different stakeholder groups as industry and policy makers.