1. Biomass Policies Workshop 14th May 2014
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.
Biomass Policies Workshop
14th May 2014

2. SBP is an industry initiative
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

3. Sustainable Biomass Partnership What is the Biomass Assurance Framework?
SBP Biomass Assurance Framework (Draft 1)
Aims to provide effective and verifiable assurance to cover all those countries in which SBP member companies operate
Must be globally applicable to diverse source regions
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
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
Source regions
Most woody biomass sourced from outside EU
North America currently a key wood basket especially west coast Canada and SE USA
Regulatory and cultural environment different from European norms

4. 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.
-The proposed development of modules to produce a Biomass Route for FSC/PEFC certification is the sector’s response to the lack of some biomass-related aspects in FSC/PEFC standards
-The development of a BAF is the sector’s short-term response to the lack of certification uptake in key wood baskets
The proposed development of partnerships with FSC/PEFC to increase uptake of certification is the sector’s long-term response to the lack of certification uptake in key wood baskets.

5. Sustainable Biomass Partnership On-track to deliver SBP certification from Summer 2014
The Draft 1 consultation documents are available on:

6. Sustainable Biomass Partnership The certification concept – feedstock, pellet mill and biomass
Primary Feedstock
Secondary Feedstock
Tertiary Feedstock

7. Sustainable Biomass Partnership The certification framework – structure, process and procedures
Biomass Assurance Framework: Scheme Architecture
Structure, Process and Procedures
Sustainable Feedstock Standard (SFS) + Evaluation Process Standard
COC + GHG data collection standards
Primary Feedstock
Secondary Feedstock
Tertiary Feedstock
Certification Systems Standard

8. Sustainable Biomass Partnership The certification concept – a risk-based approach
Supply Base Evaluation
Principles derived from UK TPP, including other relevant criteria
Legality
Ecosystems
Environment
Productivity
Social
Biodiversity
Other Relevant Criteria
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
Low Risk Criteria
No further action needed
Specified Risk Criteria
Implement mitigation measures
PEFC/FSC certified feedstock.
Compliance

9. Sustainable Biomass Partnership Key concepts in summary
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
Inclusion of residues made possible by risk-based approach with central role for pellet mill. FSC/PEFC certification of all forests would not be possible due to limited role of biomass to forest holder

10. Sustainable Biomass Partnership Next steps
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
Indications are that it will influence practice in source regions
Board decision on BAF (end June)
BAF V.1 available in Summer 2014
Work over next months to build on and improve for BAF V.2 (2016)
Inclusion of residues made possible by risk-based approach with central role for pellet mill. FSC/PEFC certification of all forests would not be possible due to limited role of biomass to forest holder

11. Sustainable Biomass Partnership Thank you
Peter Wilson
Interim Director
Sustainable Biomass Partnership E:
T: +44 (0)

12. Sustainable Biomass Partnership A renewed focus on developing solutions - structure
SBP Board
Chair: Dorothy Thompson
Interim Director: Peter Wilson
Advice
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
SBP
Assurance Framework Development Group
Chair: Peter Wilson
Members: Member reps and experts