First certification system for sustainably produced biomass takes shape
Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV) presents the first results of its International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) system in Berlin
On 17 February the first results of the pilot project on the certification of sustainable biomass, which has been supported by BMELV since 2008, were presented in Berlin.
"We already import some of the biomass we use for biofuels. In future, the use of biomass for energy purposes should only be supported when the biomass can be shown to have been produced in an environmentally compatible manner," stressed State Secretary Gert Lindemann.
In conjunction with the Energy and Climate Package, the Federal Government drew up a Sustainability Ordinance at the end of 2007 in which it laid down the criteria for the sustainable production of biofuels. With this Sustainability Ordinance, Germany led the way in the European Union (EU). The European Commission (EC) then decided to submit its own proposal and thus halted the notification procedure.
In December 2008 the European Parliament and the European Council agreed on the content of the EU Directive on the Promotion of the Use of Energy from Renewable Sources with the Commission basing itself to a certain degree on the German document. The Directive, which also contains sustainability provisions, will probably enter into force in March 2009.
"I welcome the European sustainability provisions which specify social standards in addition to sustainable land use. The Federal Government will seek to lead the way in implementing the European provisions. One of the most urgent tasks in the field of sustainability controls is to draw up corresponding certification systems on a global scale," explained Lindemann.
The sustainability of biomass at all production stages is to be proven, right down to the finished biofuel. The greenhouse gas emissions are to be measured as well. A major component in the pilot project is the close involvement of environmental protection organisations, the petroleum industry and biomass producers.
The work on the pilot project supported by BMELV is now so far advanced that the results of initial certifications are available. The event entitled "Securing Sustainability through Certification" aims to provide an overview of the state of play.
Information on the pilot project is available on www.iscc-project.org.
Delicious
Mister Wong
digg
twitter
meinVZ