First Draft of Sustainable Biofuels Standard Released

The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels has created and released the first draft of a biofuels global standard. "Version Zero" has been released which does not state whether biofuels as a whole are sustainable or the amount which can be produced. There are also no implementation guidelines which can be used by farms, producers, or companies. "Biofuels cannot replace all of our transport fuel consumption without significant changes in lifestyle and efficiency of use," the authors wrote. "We hope that these standards will be used in conjunction with new, sustainable consumption patterns for all the planet's energy needs." In the draft, it is stated that biofuels production must help mitigate climate change, not violate human or labor rights, avoid negative impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity, and benefit rural development. Other issues such as water use and food security are addressed as well. "Version One" is expected to be released in April 2009, following six months of workshops and feedback.
To read Version Zero, please click here (pdf format).
(This article is from EESI's monthly electronic newsletter BCO . To read more from BCO or sign up for a free subscription, please click here .)