An introduction to the Sustainable Biomass Partnership

(SBP)

SBP’s Vision Statement:

Sustainability is our priority and our vision is an economically, environmentally and socially sustainable solid biomass supply chain that contributes to a low-carbon economy.

AEBIOM European Bioenergy Conference

13th May 2014

Sustainable Biomass Partnership A renewed focus on developing solutions – vision and approach

SBP is an industry initiative Sector vision Sustainability is our priority and our vision is an economically, environmentally

and socially sustainable solid biomass supply chain that contributes to a low-carbon economy.

The challenge Ideally sector would rely on FSC ad PEFC certification

We recognise the credibility of existing forest certification schemes (FSC/PEFC)

and do not wish to compete with or replicate them.

Schemes have insufficient take-up in key forest-source areas and lack some of the key elements related to biomass so a bridging solution is required.

Biomass Assurance Framework A set of standards & processes to allow sector companies to demonstrate

compliance with legal, regulatory and sustainability requirements using existing mechanisms wherever we can.

Critical market players in biomass use for large

scale power generation in EU

Sustainable Biomass Partnership A renewed focus on developing solutions - structure

SBP Board Chair: Dorothy Thompson

Interim Director: Peter Wilson

SBP

Assurance

Framework

Development Group Chair: Peter Wilson

Members: Member reps and

experts

SBP

Sounding

Board (Possibly a future Advisory

Board)

Chair: Jacqueline Cramer

Provides advice to Board

& AFDG

Interim Director

Reports to Board

Focuses on delivery of

Assurance Framework

Advice

Advice

Sustainable Biomass Partnership SBP work programme

The focus is to develop solutions, short-term and long-term: •Short term 1: Biomass Assurance Framework - a first-step solution to demonstrating regulatory compliance which builds on and aligns with existing FSC and PEFC processes as far as possible – SBP-compliant biomass •Short term 2: Biomass Routes - working with certification schemes to develop modules so that their certified material can meet biomass users’ requirements e.g. biomass-specific SFM & GHG modules as necessary •Medium-long term: Wood basket partnerships - working with schemes to increase uptake of FSC & PEFC certification in key wood baskets.

Sustainable Biomass Partnership What is the Biomass Assurance Framework?

Lack of confirmed EU or national standards so need to work with what is available. Therefore, regulatory compliance demonstrated using the most stringent national requirements: Sustainable Forest Management criteria - based

on UK Government’s Timber Procurement Policy (CPET Category B) requirements + NL criteria

Legality - from EU Timber Regulation GHG data to be carried along supply chain – using

Belgian requirements Chain of custody - Mass Balance approach Indicative timetable Completed: BAF Draft 1 consultation and piloting Summer 2014: BAF Version 1.0 available Further refinement and strengthening 2016: BAF Version 2.0 available

SBP Biomass Assurance Framework (Draft 1) Aims to provide effective and verifiable

assurance to cover all those countries in which SBP member companies operate

Certification of production unit e.g. pellet mill rather than forest-level

Alignment where possible with globally recognized forest certifications schemes (PEFC/FSC)

Many of the SBP processes are derived from FSC and PEFC

SBP Certification Bodies will be FSC or PEFC-accredited

FSC/PEFC-certified material accepted Risk-based approach for non-certified

material

• SBP certifies 3 components: Sustainable Feedstock, Chain-of-Custody, Greenhouse Gas Data

• The Biomass Assurance Framework comprises standards, structures, systems and processes

• Independent third-party certification

• Makes maximum use of FSC and PEFC and complements where necessary – Addresses specific biomass issues

– Can be used in areas with limited uptake of FSC/PEFC certification

• Risk-based approach for-non certified feedstock – Central role for Pellet Mill, inspired by FSC ‘Controlled Wood’ approach

• Sustainable Feedstock Standard

• Stakeholder input in Supply Base Evaluation and Certification process

Sustainable Biomass Partnership Key concepts in summary

Primary

Feedstock

Tertiary

Feedstock

Secondary

Feedstock

Sustainable Biomass Partnership The certification concept – feedstock, pellet mill and biomass

Primary

Feedstock

Tertiary

Feedstock

Secondary

Feedstock

Biomass Assurance Framework: Scheme Architecture

Structure, Process and Procedures

Certification Systems

Standard

Sustainable Biomass Partnership The certification framework – structure, process and procedures

COC + GHG data collection

standards

Sustainable Feedstock Standard (SFS)

+ Evaluation Process Standard

Regional Risk Assessment

Desk-based assessment against SBP-criteria – results in a risk

rating for each indicator

+

Supplier Verification Program

Field-based assessment for those indicators for which no clear

risk can be determined in RRA

Legality Ecosystems Environment Productivity Social Biodiversity Other

Relevant Criteria

Supply Base Evaluation Principles derived from UK TPP, including other relevant criteria

Low Risk Criteria

No further action needed

Specified Risk Criteria

Implement mitigation measures

Compliance

PEFC/FSC

certified

feedstock.

Sustainable Biomass Partnership The certification concept – a risk-based approach

The Draft 1 consultation documents are available on: www.sustainablebiomasspartnership.org

Sustainable Biomass Partnership On-track to deliver SBP certification from Summer 2014

• Piloting completed in Canada, USA, Latvia & Portugal

• C. 25 stakeholder consultation responses received

• Sounding Board finalising its input

• Analysis underway and top-level issues will be considered by AFDG (May)

• 3-day meeting to finalise BAF Version 1 (June)

• There will be changes!

• Not possible to satisfy all stakeholders – must be a practicable and robust first step in a process

• Board decision on BAF (end June)

• BAF V.1 available in Summer 2014

• Work over next 18-24 months to build on and improve for BAF V.2 (2016)

Sustainable Biomass Partnership Next steps

Peter Wilson Interim Director Sustainable Biomass Partnership E: peter@wilsonapplied.com T: +44 (0)131 226 4665

Sustainable Biomass Partnership Thank you