Guidance for RSB P&C 3 (GHG Emissions)
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Bioenergy > Sustainability standards > Initiatives > Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) > RSB Principles and Criteria (version 0) > RSB Guidance
| The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels | ||
| Note: This RSB-related page is not actively updated. For up-to-date information on the RSB, see the BioenergyWiki RSB page or the RSB Website The RSB has released "Version One" of the "Principles on Sustainable Biofuel Production" |  | |
| RSB Guidance for Implementing the Sustainability Principles and Criteria | edit | |
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Quick links to guidance for each principle | ||
Compared to the current Version Zero, the RSB needs to develop the full guidance to help stakeholders to understand and implement the RSB standards. Please add your suggestions after "Suggested Full Guidance"!
Contents |
Principle 3
Biofuels shall contribute to climate change mitigation by significantly reducing GHG emissions as compared to fossil fuels.
Key Guidance, as included in Version Zero
The aim of this principle is to establish an acceptable standard methodology for comparing the GHG benefits of different biofuels in a way that can be written into regulations and enforced in standards. The overriding requirement is therefore a methodology that is not susceptible to subjective assumptions or manipulation. The fossil fuel reference shall be global, based on IEA projections of fossil fuel mixes.
Suggested Full Guidance
Criterion 3.a
Emissions shall be estimated via a consistent approach to lifecycle assessment, with system boundaries from well to tank, including carbon embedded in the fuel but excluding vehicle technology.
Key Guidance, as included in Version Zero
None
Suggested Full Guidance
- bill wason, co2 star and sustainable biobrazil (BioenergyWiki User:Billwason):
- including carbon embedded in the fuel at the percentage that represents the average use and based on testing of the fuel efficiency of the biofuel at that typical percentage of use (not by Kj/kg but based on actual testing), but not including vehicle improvements. Efficiency improvements possible when mandatory blend levels are required through changes in timing of vehicles should also be considered.
Criterion 3.b
At the point of verification, measured or default values shall be provided for the major steps in the biofuel production chain.
Key Guidance, as included in Version Zero
None
Suggested Full Guidance
Criterion 3.c
Default values from GHG emissions from direct land use change shall be estimated using IPCC Tier 1 values. Better performance than IPCC default values can be proven through models or field experiments.
Key Guidance, as included in Version Zero
None
Suggested Full Guidance
Criterion 3.d
GHG emissions from indirect land use change, i.e. that arise through macroeconomic effects of biofuels production, shall be minimized. There is no established methodology to determine them. Practical steps that shall be taken will include:
- Maximising use of waste and residues as feedstocks, idle land, waste land, improvements to yields, and efficient crops;
- Coordinating policies between biofuels and other uses of land to encourage positive indirect effects, which could involve cooperation with specialised agencies; and
- Monitoring indirect land use changes within manageable areas.
Key Guidance, as included in Version Zero
None
Suggested Full Guidance
- bill wason, co2 star and sustainable biobrazil (BioenergyWiki User:Billwason)
- proposing a HCV area be preserved through an avoided deforestation carbon credit program to directly avoid potential indirect land use problems (with appropriate credit to biofuel producers if they initiate effort)
Criterion 3.e
The preferred methodology for GHG lifecycle assessment is as such:
- The functional unit shall be CO2 equivalent (in kg) per Mega Joule [kgCO2equ/MJ], including the CO2 equivalent GHG emissions from the eventual fuel combustion
- The greenhouse gases covered shall include CO2, N2O and CH4. Global Warming Potential values and lifetimes from the IPCC shall be used.
- Substitution shall be used to treat co- and by-products. Allocation by energy content may be used for energy co-products. Allocation by market value may be used if substitution is not possible.
Key Guidance, as included in Version Zero
The indicators shall include guidelines for how substitution, allocation by energy content, and allocation by market value should be used, as there is a risk of mistakes and variability in results
Suggested Full Guidance
- bill wason co2 star and sustainable biobrazil (BioenergyWiki User:Billwason)
- bullet 1:
- kj/kg calculations shall be adjusted to account for the actual efficiency of the fuel when blended with petroleum at point of final use at the average percentage used in a given year.
- proposed bullet
- GHG methodology shall be consistent with other GHG methodology used in other industries that are being used in establishing cap and trade programs, particularly in connection with "economic weighing". Economic weighing of petroleum is an important criteria to establish a correct baseline for petroleum GHG emissions per the original recommendations of the ISO committee establishing GHG life cycle assessments for refineries.
