Much debate is currently centered around the question of what “sustainability” means for biofuels. As the largest environmental and social impacts of biofuels relate to the production of feedstocks and the associated land use questions, we focus on “sustainability” in this context. Given the diversity of feedstocks, producing regions, management techniques, and local contexts, it is difficult to propose a single definition of “sustainability.” Rather, what “sustainability” looks like in a given case depends largely on three questions: what, where, and how? In other words, what feedstock is being produced?  Where is it being grown? And how is it being produced?
This presentation will focus on pools, methodologies, and policies that help assess possible answers to these questions. This helps decision-makers identify and consider potential externalities related to feedstock production, as well as determine which combinations might have the lowest negative environmental and socioeconomic impacts. Work presented will be drawn from the work of Conservation International and partners in the field in major feedstock-producing countries, and in policy and market arenas. It will also highlight cutting-edge tools developed to help decision-makers assess production-related impacts and trade-offs.