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Sustainability reporting for biofuels

The large-scale use of biofuels has a potentially large contribution to the abatement of climate change. The overall contribution however depends on the sustainability in the whole lifecycle of production, transport and use of these fuels.

At the start of the project in 2006 many questions about biofuels sustainability criteria were raised. On top of the more academic and theoretical approach to answer these questions, the challenge was also to design a system that is manageable and effective for stakeholders in the fuels markets.

By using both the scientific knowledge and the practical market expertise, Ecofys designed a system for reporting about biofuels sustainability. The system is pragmatic and is approved by authorities, companies and NGOs.

   

Client

UK Department for Transport

Area of expertise

Bio energy

   
 
   

The UK is the first country in the world that has implemented an operational system for reporting about the sustainability of biofuels. The system, that became live in 2008, now proves to be a practical instrument for all stakeholders in the market to track – and therefore show the progress in - sustainability issues of biofuels. The reporting system covers greenhouse gas reduction, land use change, social conditions in the production and other sustainability topics.

The system is likely to be exemplary to an EU-wide sustainability system, which is expected to result in higher biofuels quality standards and eventually in more sustainable biofuels.