GENEVE, 3 October 2008: A new publication from UNCTAD investigates pros and cons of certifying biofuels on the basis of sustainability. What is required for a certification system to play a positive role for sustainable development without hindering international trade?
The international debate on biofuel is heating up. Doubts are increasingly being voiced about the overall positive impact of biofuels, and some feel the possible negative side effects of biofuels production and use – especially in relation to food security and environmental preservation – may eclipse the potential benefits.
A new study entitled “Making Certification Work for Sustainable Development: The Case of Biofuels” aims to provide policymakers with an overview of biofuel certification schemes that are already in place or being developed, including:
Benefits and drawbacks of such schemes;
Implications for developing countries; and
Possible ramifications of certification in the context of the World Trade Organization.
Certification is seen as an instrument that can both encourage and quantify sustainable biofuels production. It may thus become a precondition for biofuels to be counted towards national utilization targets or for benefiting from tax breaks and other incentives. It may also become a prerequisite for consumers’ acceptance.
Four groups are involved in the development of biofuels certification schemes: national Governments and regional groupings; companies; non-governmental organizations; and international organizations and initiatives. The numerous initiatives being undertaken are in various stages of development, ranging from the discussion phase to full implementation.
Certification raises a number of concerns related to the kind of criteria included in the schemes, the proliferation of parallel programmes, their compatibility with multilaterally-agreed trade rules, the cost of certification, and developing country ability to participate in the standard development process.
The issue of certification of biofuels has been raised in numerous meetings organized by the UNCTAD Biofuels Initiative and has been addressed in past reports.
At the end of the study, some suggestions are offered on how to ensure that biofuels certification is indeed conducive to sustainable production.
Read more: http://www.unctad.org/Templates/webflyer.asp?docid=10481&intItemID=2068&lang=1
Kilde: UNCTAD
