Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Book chapters
DOI 10.5071/32ndEUBCE2024-2AV.3.2
Title (Primary) Bridging gaps in sustainability certification of low-ILUC-risk biomass - A decision support scheme
Title (Secondary) 32nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 24-27 June, Marseille, France
Author Sumfleth, B.; Majer, S.; Thrän, D.
Source Titel European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE) Proceedings
Year 2024
Department BIOENERGIE
Page From 265
Page To 268
Language englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Keywords biofuel; certification; criteria and indicators (C&I); additionality; trade-off; low-ILUC-risk
Abstract Indirect land use change (ILUC) is considered a significant challenge associated with an increasing demand for biomass and bioenergy. Sustainability certification of biomass-based products can help to manage and verify ILUC-risks and establish a certain level of sustainability. To take ILUC in sustainability certification into account a low-ILUC-risk certification approach is discussed on the political and scientific level. This approach is characterized by the use of practices that an individual producer can adopt to provide an additional amount of biomass. While this approach potentially reduces the risk for ILUC, several potential trade-offs may arise from the use of such practices. The question remains open whether the criteria and indicators (C&I) of voluntary certification schemes that consider a particular trade-off are based on scientific evidence. As considerable gaps for specific trade-offs could be identified, the question arises whether and how these trade-offs can be assessed in certification practice. This paper presents a decision support scheme to assist biofuel certification schemes in their decision to revise existing and include new C&I to assess the respective trade-offs. Based on a comprehensive literature review and expert interviews, the scheme evaluates whether potential certification C&I are conceptually sound and applicable in certification practice. We found the most C&I for biodiversity loss and water pollution. We also identified a manageable and implementable set of criteria to evaluate the C&I.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=29795
Sumfleth, B., Majer, S., Thrän, D. (2024):
Bridging gaps in sustainability certification of low-ILUC-risk biomass - A decision support scheme
32nd European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, 24-27 June, Marseille, France
EUBCE Proceedings
ETA-Florence Renewable Energies, Florence, p. 265 - 268 10.5071/32ndEUBCE2024-2AV.3.2