Rene van Zeeland Sustainability of biomass Erik Wissema – Project manager Ministry of Economic Affairs / Transition Directorate

Contents What is the problem, background; Assignment of project; Vision and criteria; Items for discussion.

What is the problem? Booming biomass market for: Energy Transport Chemistry In The Netherlands large amount is imported; No checks and balances on sustainability of the whole chain; Serious doubts about sustainability of different sources (palm oil, soy oil, wood); Serious public and political concern.

Assignment of the project group Organize stable structure for discussion between stakeholders; Vision on sustainability of biomass in 2020; Formulation of broadly supported criteria for the import of biomass, to be used for instance for policy purposes; Select projects for field tests; Recommendations on follow up and certification. Deadline: July 15th

Vision Universal framework of criteria, focus on non-food; If necessary, add specific criteria per option; Focus , process of development; Criteria need to keep quality for a long period; Minimum requirements as basis, incentives for further preservation, milestones; Whole chain, residues as well as crops ; Attention for triple P, cascading.

Criteria (1) Three levels: 2007; transparency, slight improvements, practicality; 2011; significant improvement; Long term perspective; sustainable biomass; Verification; Certification on longer term; Implementation in policy in 2007: bio fuels and bio-energy; Implementation on voluntary basis in non-policy industry.

Criteria (2) Eight criteria with indicators: Greenhouse gas balance: standard chains, including application; Competition with food: more transparency by reporting obligation; Biodiversity: follow international conventions; Welfare and wellbeing: more transparency by reporting obligation; Working conditions: ILO standards; Environmental care: comply with local/national legislation; Water management: comply with local/national legislation; Soil and nutrition balance: Comply with local/national legislation.

Discussion (1) Sustainability of biomass is only needed for policy related purposes, not for the market;

Discussion (2) Sustainability of biomass is something for companies and verifiers and not for governments

Discussion (3) It is unacceptable to start with sustainability at a basic level. It should be perfect from the start.

Discussion (4) Criteria should be country- and situation specific and not generic

Discussion (5) It is impossible to make sustainability of biomass work in the real world.

Discussion (6) Criteria should be the product of a bi/multilateral process and not of a unilateral one