Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels issues new draft language calling for end to tariffs and subsidies

The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels issued a new draft of its Principle 13, “Biofuels shall be produced in the most cost-effective way”, and language calling for the elimination of tariffs and production subsidies. The working draft is scheduled to be published in a final form in August. Principle 13, as drafted, states:

13.a Biofuel projects shall be set up with the perspective of being economically sustainable. Key guidance: Biofuel projects should seek to be economically viable without distortive public support (tariffs and production subsidies).

13. b Biofuel production shall use resources in the most efficient  and sustainable  manner.  Key guidance: Production system should optimize the use of inputs (such as land use, agro-chemicals, and water), processing (such as energy use) and outputs efficiencies. Expansion of biofuel feedstock through yields improvement should be encouraged when possible (but not limited to) as increased productivity (in terms of liters of biofuels per hectare) will diminish the pressure on land use.

13.c  Biofuel shall reduce GHG emissions in the most cost-effective way when compared to other alternatives. Key guidance: The use of resources for biofuel production shall be compared to other alternative uses in order to achieve the best allocation of resources regarding GHG emissions.

13. d Positive externalities of biofuel production shall contribute to development, especially in developing countries. Key guidance: Indicators should take into account increase and diversification of income, development opportunities thanks to the production of bioelectricity in rural areas, increased energy security, etc.

Sustainability background

In Sweden, SEKAB has announced that it will be distributing “supply verified sustainable” ethanol. The company, which sets its own certification standards for sustainability, looks for labor standards, rain forest destruction, minimum standards for mechanization. Production will be audited twice per year by an independent verification organization. SEKAB said that they will monitor and revise sustainability criteria as international regulations are put in place.

A recent post at Renewable Energy Access said that “It is important to note that biofuels growth has not been primarily driven by environmental concerns. Instead, worries over energy security and demands for rural development have provided the greatest impetus. With oil at record prices and supply uncertainties increasing, these drivers are only becoming stronger. Placed in this economic and political context, it becomes clear that the choice is not between biofuels or not, but between sustainable and unsustainable biofuels.“

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