2nd RSB comments process
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Bioenergy > Sustainability standards > Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) > RSB comments process
This page of the BioenergyWiki is designed to facilitate the process of gathering public feedback on documents produced by the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB).
- The RSB had first developed a set of general "Principles for Sustainable Biofuels" that should guide sustainability considerations related to biofuels. These were widely discussed by international stakeholders until the 15th of September 2007. We have incorporated stakeholder feedback into a second draft of the principles to be published in October, with a further two months of feedback until the end of 2008. Although this wording received a broad support, it may still be readjusted as some points are still under discussion. The goal is to reach consensus on principles of sustainable biofuels by the end of 2007. To consult the 1st round (May-September 2007)comments' page, please click here.
- To follow the past and recent discussion about the principles, please visit the pages of the Working Groups on GHG, Environment, Social Impacts and Implementation.
- While these principles are being refined, sets of "sustainability criteria" will be developed through open Working Groups, which will describe the conditions to be met to ensure the sustainability principles are followed.
Multiple channels are used for gathering comments and proposed revisions to the principles and criteria.
- This BioenergyWiki page uses wiki technology to allow a variety of ways for stakeholders to provide input into the RSB texts. There are four ways to provide comments through the BioenergyWiki:
- Write your comments directly on the page for general comments on the process.
- Use the special discussions pages for each topic (legality, GHG, Conservation, etc...) by clicking on the subheading in the boxes below.
- Upload your comments as a .doc or .pdf file to the wiki and create a link to the document on the comments page (the administrators will assist you with this if necessary).
- Directly edit the draft text of the principles. Everyone is free to make changes to the version of the principles here. Because every change to the BioenergyWiki is tracked, at the end of the comment period the Steering Committee will examine not only the updated draft that emerges here, but all comments and proposals made during the entire process. You can view both the original version and the current state of the community edits below.
- If you would like to submit comments privately, you can e-mail them to: Sebastien Haye at EPFL, or fax them to Sebastien Haye, EPFL, +41 22 693 2489.
Stakeholders are encouraged to utilize multiple options for submitting comments and proposed changes. For example, an organization can upload their own policy on bioenergy as a .doc file, make some edits to the draft text of the principles, and then add a comment explaining the logic behind the changes.
- If you need assistance with anything please contact the administrator at administrator@bioenergywiki.net.
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Original documents
- Commenting on RSB Drafts Using the BioenergyWiki (PDF File)
- RSB Intro to Feedback Mechanisms
- RSB 1st Draft Principles - June 5, 2007 (PDF File)
- RSB 2nd version of Principles - October 15, 2007 (PDF File)
Original and Current version of Draft Principles
Note that the 2nd version of the Principles below is the result of discussions held by the working groups and the Steering Board until the month of September 2007. As some points remain debated, these shall not be considered as final. As the editing process is open to anyone, the wordings on the right box (Current Edits) do not necessarily reflect the views of the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels. The Steering Board will look at all of the changes made throughout the process as well as the version that emerges here by the end of the comment period.
- Click here to edit the draft text of the principles.
- You can view the history of changes that have been made to the wiki version of the draft principles by clicking here.
- Write a comment on the draft principles.
Original text of principlesNational law 1. 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.
2. Biofuels should result in lower GHG emissions compared to fossil fuels when analyzed via a lifecycle assessment (with system boundaries from “well to wheel”). 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.
3. Biomass production should not lead to the destruction or damaging of areas of high biodiversity.
8. Biomass production should contribute to the well-being of communities, workers and rural populations.
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Current version of principles (after 1st round of discussions)1. Biofuel production shall respect all applicable laws of the country in which they occur, and all international treaties and agreements to which the country is a signatory. 2. Biofuel projects shall arise through fully transparent, consultative and participatory processes that involve all relevant stakeholders. Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas 3. Biofuels shall contribute to climate stabilization by reducing GHG emissions as compared to fossil fuels. Emissions shall be estimated via a consistent approach to lifecycle assessment, with system boundaries from “root to tank”. This shall include direct and indirect GHG emissions, for instance from fossil energy used in growing, transporting and processing biofuels. It shall also include GHG emissions resulting from land use changes as land is converted to biofuel crop production, or as other production is displaced. 4. Biofuel production shall not violate human rights or labor rights, and shall ensure decent work and the well-being of workers. 5. Biofuel production shall not violate land or water rights, and shall contribute to the social and economic development of local, rural and indigenous peoples and communities. 6. Biofuel production shall not impair food security. 7. Biofuel production shall not directly or indirectly endanger wildlife species or areas of high conservation value. 8. Biofuel production shall not directly or indirectly degrade or damage soils. 9. Biofuel production shall not directly or indirectly contaminate or deplete water resources. 10. Biofuel production shall not directly or indirectly lead to air pollution. 11. If biotechnologies are used in biofuels production, they shall improve the social and/or environmental performance of biofuels, and always be consistent with national or international biosafety and transparency protocols.
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Current Edits1. Biofuel production shall respect all applicable laws of the country in which they occur, and all international treaties and agreements to which the country is a signatory. 2. Biofuel projects shall arise through fully transparent, consultative and participatory processes that involve all relevant stakeholders. Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas 3. Biofuels shall contribute to climate stabilization by reducing GHG emissions as compared to fossil fuels. Emissions shall be estimated via a consistent approach to lifecycle assessment, with system boundaries from “root to tank”. This shall include direct and indirect GHG emissions, for instance from fossil energy used in growing, transporting and processing biofuels. It shall also include GHG emissions resulting from land use changes as land is converted to biofuel crop production, or as other production is displaced. 4. Biofuel production shall not violate human rights or labor rights, and shall ensure decent work and the well-being of workers. 5. Biofuel production shall not violate land or water rights, and shall contribute to the social and economic development of local, rural and indigenous peoples and communities. 6. Biofuel production shall not impair food security. 7. Biofuel production shall not directly or indirectly endanger wildlife species or areas of high conservation value. 8. Biofuel production shall not directly or indirectly degrade or damage soils. 9. Biofuel production shall not directly or indirectly contaminate or deplete water resources. 10. Biofuel production shall not directly or indirectly lead to air pollution. 11. If biotechnologies are used in biofuels production, they shall improve the social and/or environmental performance of biofuels, and always be consistent with national or international biosafety and transparency protocols. Biosecurity (please note that this new principle has not been validated by the RSB steering board and secretariat so far) 12. Biofuel production shall not introduce invasive species. Biofuel feedstocks, many of which share traits in common with highly invasive species, should be evaluated for risk of biological invasion. Where such risk exists, producers should assume responsibility for monitoring, and financial liability for resulting damage, and for control and eradication. --Jwaugh 00:16, 22 November 2007 (CET)
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