Title:
Knowledge Based Decision-making Tool for the Assessment of Trade-offs in Low iLUC Risk Certification
Author(s):
Sumfleth, B., Majer, S., Thrän, D.
Document(s):
Paper
Poster
Abstract:
Indirect land use changes (iLUC) pose a significant challenge to the sustainable production of biomass and bioenergy. The implementation of sustainability certification has the potential to manage this risk effectively. However, there remains an open question regarding how to extend certification schemes to create a credible and reliable approach for accounting for iLUC risks. This study focuses on low iLUC risk biomass production, which can be achieved through the adoption of additionality practices by individual producers. To support the sustainable use of such practices, this study examines whether existing assessment instruments of voluntary certification schemes for trade-offs that might arise from the use of such practices are based on scientific evidence. We found trade-offs that are preferentially addressed by the schemes, and considerable gaps for certain trade-offs. Biomass cultivation on unused land could be determined as the most promising additionality practice in terms of addressing trade-offs. This study contributes to the need to implement additionality practices in low iLUC certification approaches without compromising sustainability by identifying trade-offs as required by European Union low iLUC legislation. Finally, this study presents a decision support tool tailored to certification schemes to verify that certification instruments addressing a particular trade-off are based on scientifically sound methods.
Keywords:
certification, additionality, low iLUC risk, trade-off
Topic:
Sustainability, Impacts and Policies
Subtopic:
Sustainability, socio-economic aspects and public acceptance
Event:
31st European Biomass Conference and Exhibition
Session:
2AV.1.16
Pages:
384 - 386
ISBN:
978-88-89407-23-3
Paper DOI:
10.5071/31stEUBCE2023-2AV.1.16
Price:
FREE
