1. 112-10-2004Rene van Zeeland Sustainability of biomass Erik Wissema – Project manager Ministry of Economic Affairs / Transition Directorate

2. Contents What is the problem, background; Assignment of project; Vision and criteria; Items for discussion.

3. What is the problem? Booming biomass market for: Energy Transport Chemistry In The Netherlands large amount is imported; No checks and balances on sustainability of the whole chain; Serious doubts about sustainability of different sources (palm oil, soy oil, wood); Serious public and political concern.

4. Assignment of the project group Organize stable structure for discussion between stakeholders; Vision on sustainability of biomass in 2020; Formulation of broadly supported criteria for the import of biomass, to be used for instance for policy purposes; Select projects for field tests; Recommendations on follow up and certification. Deadline: July 15th

5. Vision Universal framework of criteria, focus on non-food; If necessary, add specific criteria per option; Focus 2020-2040, process of development; Criteria need to keep quality for a long period; Minimum requirements as basis, incentives for further preservation, milestones; Whole chain, residues as well as crops ; Attention for triple P, cascading.

6. Criteria (1) Three levels: 2007; transparency, slight improvements, practicality; 2011; significant improvement; Long term perspective; sustainable biomass; Verification; Certification on longer term; Implementation in policy in 2007: bio fuels and bio-energy; Implementation on voluntary basis in non-policy industry.

7. Criteria (2) Eight criteria with indicators: Greenhouse gas balance: standard chains, including application; Competition with food: more transparency by reporting obligation; Biodiversity: follow international conventions; Welfare and wellbeing: more transparency by reporting obligation; Working conditions: ILO standards; Environmental care: comply with local/national legislation; Water management: comply with local/national legislation; Soil and nutrition balance: Comply with local/national legislation.

8. Discussion (1) Sustainability of biomass is only needed for policy related purposes, not for the market;

9. Discussion (2) Sustainability of biomass is something for companies and verifiers and not for governments

10. Discussion (3) It is unacceptable to start with sustainability at a basic level. It should be perfect from the start.

11. Discussion (4) Criteria should be country- and situation specific and not generic

12. Discussion (5) It is impossible to make sustainability of biomass work in the real world.

13. Discussion (6) Criteria should be the product of a bi/multilateral process and not of a unilateral one