Sustainability: a four-principle approach

Everyone’s for sustainability, it seems. Who could be against it? But what does it mean, exactly?

In my travels, I have found that no two people define it in the same way. Some companies, such as Hawaiian Electric, have specific guidelines that go far beyond other published standards.  Trade groups, such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil have drafted standards. The Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels has published Version Zero of its principles which is describes as “aspirational” in nature.

Speaking for myself, I feel we are taking too long; aspiration is good, but practical standards are better.

In the absence of agreed international sustainability standards for biofuels, I offer the following Four Principles for your consideration.

FIRST, that biofuels have three classes of “sustainability”. That way, we can recognize fuels which are, at least, a superior substitute for conventional fossil fuels, while leaving room for a “higher grade” of sustainability for those who want better.

SECOND, that the criteria be “lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions.” “other emissions”, “land use”, “labor”, “water” and community participation”. These generally cover the most important environment and social aspects of sustainability.

THIRD, that a table of values is drafted and maintained. I have drafted one, here, to begin the ball rolling.

FOURTH, that a non-profit international board of volunteers serves to modify these sustainability provisions over time, and authorize limited and reasonable sustainability audits to be performed at the cost of the applicant.

What is your own vision of sustainability?

Free Subscription to the Daily Biofuels Digest e-newsletter

Related Stories

Mozambique’s Principle Energy goes forward with $290 million ethanol plant

In Mozambique, Principle Energy confirmed its plans to commence construction of its proposed $290 million ethanol plant near Dombe. The company raised $70 million in 2007, but has pushed back a schedu...

Mozambique says biofuels investment tops $700 million

In Mozambique, the national government's Agriculture Promotion Centre said that Procana and Principle Energy are investing $710 million in the production of ethanol from sugar cane. The government app...

Biofuels Cities 1000 member coalition: sustainable biofuels policies working in Stockholm, Rotterdam, Goteburg

At World Biofuels Markets, Peter Defraneschi of Biofuels Cities said that the transport sector in Europe represents 1/3 of all carbon emissions in Europe, but that public opinion remain divided over t...

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 prod...

Principle Energy to invest $250 million in Mozambique for sugarcane ethanol

In Mozambique, UK-based Principle Energy said it would invest $250 million in sugar cane ethanol at a facility along the Lucite and Buzi rivers in Mozambique. Principle Capital Holdings said the to...

Corporate Sustainability execs say energy efficiency, waste management, carbon footprint top priorities in 2009

Panel Intelligence released the first of a quarterly series of Corporate Sustainability Surveys, and found that corporate sustainability spending, as a percentage of revenue, is expected to grow from ...