Template:RSB draft principles - wiki version for public editing no numbers
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CLICK THE "EDIT" TAB ABOVE IN ORDER TO EDIT DRAFT PRINCIPLES - THIS FIRST SECTION EXPLAINS THE PROCESS -- EDIT LOCATION BEGINS BELOW
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National law
- Biomass production should comply with all local and national laws, including labor laws and recognizing land and water rights. If such legislation does not exist, international norms shall be the reference.
- An International Body be formed that ensures this law is followed through world wide,with no child labour in the whole cycle of biomass/biofuels production activity.
Greenhouse gas
- Biofuels should result in lower GHG emissions compared to fossil fuels when analyzed via a lifecycle assessment (with system boundaries from “well to wheel and our tommorow”). This should include direct and indirect GHG emissions, for instance from fossil energy used in growing, transporting and processing biofuels. It should also include GHG emissions resulting from land use changes as land is converted to biofuel crop production, or as production for other markets is displaced.It should take a futures attitude of approaching zero emmisions by using planned "Carbon Dioxide Sink Creation" as coorporate and national social responsibility.
Biodiversity, etc.
- Biomass production should not lead to the destruction or degradation of high conservation value areas, including areas of high biodiversity; habitats of rare, threatened or endangered species; or rare, threatened or endangered ecosystems. (For more information on HCVA: http://hcvnetwork.org/)
Food crops
- It should not be the cause either directly or indirectly for displacement of food crops.
Soils
- Biomass production should not degrade or damage soils.
Water
- Biomass production should not contaminate or deplete water resources.
Air
- Biomass production should not lead to air pollution.
GMOs
- The use of GMOs for biofuels production should be made transparent, so that buyers can make their own decisions. I think that the precautionary principle should be applied here, which suggest NO GMOs because there is significant scientific uncertainty about their long term impacts.
Land conversion
- Biomass production should not displace crops or practices which than will drive conversion, deforestation. (For example: soy replacing grazing, the soy is certified as sustainable, but deforestation continues because grazing was displaced).
Communities
- Biomass production should contribute to the well-being of communities, workers and rural populations.
Food security
- Biomass production should not contribute to food insecurity.
Child labour
- Biomass production must address the issues of child labour and welfare in the under developed countries.
The underpriviledged
- Biomass production must contribute to the well being and quality of life style for the economically underprivileged.
Knowledge Dissemination
- Biomass production should increase knowledge disemination activity in the community and contribute to cohesion and harmony.
Social Security
- Biomass production should create social security within a community and encourage GHG reduction and waste recyling within the micro lifestyles of all families.
Traceability
- Biomass production and value chains must be traceable to enable consumers / end users to differentiate between sustainable and unsustainable sources.
