20101013 Biomass congress Sustainability criteria for biomass

International Biomass Congress, RDM Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 13 October 2010

Towards global sustainability criteria

for bio-energy

Jarno Dakhorst, NEN Energy Resources

Towards global sustainability criteria for bio-energy

Outline

• Background

• European developments

• International developments

• Dutch approach


Background

• Biomass plays an important role in energy transition

– security of energy supply

– reducing greenhouse gases

– new socio-economic opportunities (e.g. in rural areas)

• However, biomass from green revolution to hot issue

– land use changes resulting in (possible) loss of biodiversity and

carbon sinks

– food security and prices

• So, development of sustainability criteria for biomass

production (for use in fuels, electricity, heating and cooling)


European developments (1)

• Renewable Energy Directive (2009/28/EC)

including sustainability criteria for biofuels and bioliquids

– greenhouse gas (GHG) emission saving shall be at least 35% (and 50% as from 2017)

– raw materials shall not be obtained from land (ref. January 2008):

> with high biodiversity value (like primary forests, highly biodiverse grasslands, areas with nature protection purpose)

> with high carbon stock (like wetlands, continuously forested areas and peatland)

– raw materials cultivated in EU shall be obtained in accordance with good agricultural and environmental condition => ‘cross-compliance rules’



• EC report on sustainability requirements for use of solid and gaseous biomass sources in electricity, heating and cooling (COM(2010)011)

– no European legal framework (yet) with sustainability criteria for solid and gaseous biomass

– recommendations to member states who wish to implement a sustainability scheme for solid and gaseous biomass:

> adopt sustainability criteria from RED

> do not apply GHG emission saving to waste

> adjust the GHG calculation to obtain value for total GHG emission

> only apply scheme to large energy producers: ≥ 1 MWe / MWth

> support schemes in favour of high energy conversion efficiencies



• CEN/TC 383 "Sustainably produced biomass for energy applications"

– Original scope: sustainability criteria based on "people, planet, profit" for all types of biomass for energy applications

– Current scope: sustainability criteria limited to RED aspects

> Terminology

> Calculation of GHG emission balance using LCA

> Biodiversity (areas with nature protection purposes, highly biodiverse non-natural grassland, peatland)

> Conformity assessment including mass balance

– Proposal to develop standards for solid and gaseous biomass based on RED / EC recommendations (to be decided)


International developments (1)

• ISO/PC 248 "Sustainability criteria for bioenergy"

– Scope: Sustainability criteria for production, supply chain and application of bioenergy; including terminology and aspects related to the sustainability (e.g. environmental, social and economic) of bioenergy

– Objectives

> Comply with national and/or regional legislation

> Respect the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

> Use natural resources in a rational and sustainable way

> Bioenergy from production and up to use should be sustainable in relation to biological diversity

> Reduce GHG emissions in relation to the fossil energy source it substitutes


International developments (2)

– Objectives (continued)

> Promote economic and social development where the production up to use of bioenergy occurs

> Bioenergy production should be economically and financially viable in the long term

– Final publication expected May 2014


Dutch approach (1)

• Testing framework for sustainable biomass (2006-2007)

– Greenhouse gases

– Competition with food

– Biodiversity

• Establishment BIOPEC consortium in 2007 aiming at certification system for sustainable biomass

• Certification system requires

– document with requirements for sustainable biomass production and chain of custody => NTA 8080

– scheme with rules for certification => NTA 8081

– other documents, tools, training courses, etc.

– Environment

– Prosperity

– Social well-being


Dutch approach (2)

• NEN facilitates development and management of certification system

– standard is voluntary agreement on product, process or service

– principles: all parties concerned, transparency, consensus

– NEN is not a certification body, so independent and neutral

• NTA 8080, Sustainability criteria for biomass for energy

purposes (2008-2009) [nl & en]

– Translation of testing framework into verifiable requirements

– Taking into account small-holders and residues

– Based on continuous improvement (PDCA approach)


Dutch approach (3)

• NTA 8081, Certification scheme for sustainably produced

biomass for energy purposes (2009-2010) [nl & en]

– competences of certification bodies and auditor(s)

– audit effort in man-days, method of conformity assessment &

certification criteria ('minors' & 'majors')

– assessment frequency, validity of certificate and group certification

• Certification system currently under assessment

– (Dutch) Accreditation Council for acceptance

– VROM for national recognition RED compliance

– EC for European recognition RED compliance


Thank you for your attention

NEN Scheme Ownership NTA 8080

www.nta8080.org | www.sustainable-biomass.org

E [email protected] | T +31-15-2 690 326

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20101013 Biomass congress Sustainability criteria for biomass

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