Support for RSB As Global Gold Standard Reconfirmed at Annual General Assembly

June 03, 2015

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(Roundtable for Sustainable Biomaterials) The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) concluded their Annual General Assembly three-day program with a strong endorsement from participants for the RSB as the most comprehensive standard on biofuels and biomaterials and a range of new ideas to support uptake of certification.

"As a comprehensive global standard, the RSB clearly has a vital role to play in underpinning the credibility of the bioeconomy," said Rolf Hogan, RSB's Executive Director. "This was the common theme that echoed across diverse discussions over the three days."

RSB members approved the new "Low iLUC Risk Biomass Criteria and Compliance Indicators," an official 'optional module' for operations undergoing RSB certification. Producers can now demonstrate that biomass was produced with low indirect land use change (iLUC) and minimal impact on food production or biodiversity.

The Assembly also discussed RSB strategy for market uptake and elected the board directors.

The public sessions on 2 June featured a diversity of speakers from industry, NGO and UN organizations reaffirming their support for RSB as the most credible global standard for ensuring the sustainable production of biofuels and biomaterials:

Boeing, World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), KLM, South African Airways and SkyNRG, discussed how to develop innovative solutions to the challenges of establishing RSB-certified biojet fuel supply chains for the aviation sector.

Tetra Pak, Nestl? Research Center, The Coca-Cola Company, WWF, and Huttner Strategies looked at how brand owners evaluate the sustainability profile of feedstocks for bioplastics and the value of certification systems like RSB in the decision-making process.

The United Nations Sustainable Energy For All Initiative, the European Bioplastics Association, Addax Bioenergy, and PANGEA focused on how to ensure that media and policy-makers have a clear understanding of the facts when considering the broader bioeconomy and how we can be more proactive in promoting a more informed debate.

UNCTAD, Sunchem, ICTSD, Institute of European and International Economic Law/WTI, University of Bern, and MHG reviewed 2nd generation feedstock sustainability issues and how to strike a balance between sustainable 1st generation biofuels and a desire to promote rapid uptake of 2nd generation fuels.

A 3 June public workshop, opened by Karin Kreider, Executive Director of ISEAL Alliancedeveloped solutions for improving uptake of RSB certification.

"IATA very much appreciates the strong focus that RSB is giving to aviation," said Thomas Roetger, Assistant Director, Aviation Environment - Technology for International Air Transport Association (IATA). "Numerous airlines that care about sustainable fuel solutions have adopted RSB as the standard of choice. We are looking forward to continuing our fruitful cooperation with RSB."

"The RSB General Assembly brings agricultural specialists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), experts, governments and inter-government agencies from around the world together to talk about sustainability and different initiatives that can assist in making a better and cleaner planet," said Paul Pereira, CEO of The Biopolymer Company, MHG. "I am honored to share MHG's story with attendees and participate in thought-provoking discussions about feedstocks and sustainability."

"It's not often that people from all over the world who are working towards a more sustainable future are able to come together to discuss how to do that in person," said Barbara Bramble, RSB's Board Chair. "That is why RSB's Annual General Assembly meetings are so key to bring people together that otherwise may never meet to move forward and take action."

"We gathered key organizations from around the world that are dedicated to a sustainable bioeconomy," said Rolf Hogan. "RSB will now focus on developing and implementing some of the great ideas generated during this week's discussions."

Photos from the three-day program can be viewed on our website here. READ MORE