Evaluation of Ecological Criteria of Biofuel Certification in Germany

Kirsten Selbmann and Lydia Pforte
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Kirsten Selbmann: Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), Jägerallee 15, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
Lydia Pforte: Meo Carbon Solutions, Hohenzollernring 72, D-50672 Köln, Germany

Sustainability, 2016, vol. 8, issue 9, 1-16

Abstract: The share of biofuels has increased significantly over the last decade, which has lead to several negative impacts on the environment. As a solution, several governments worldwide have promoted the use of certification systems, which have been implemented and in some cases have even been established as mandatory regulations. Due to the focus of the public debate, standard-setting has mainly been limited to developing and newly industrializing countries. Hence, the issues of environmental impacts as a consequence of agricultural intensification in Germany has been given little attention, and the question whether existing biofuel certification systems sufficiently cover ecological issues remains. In order to answer this question, this study performs a benchmarking analysis of selected certification systems, whereby their ability to ensure ecological sustainability is evaluated and compared. The assessment reveals that the currently existing national ordinances, like Cross Compliance, are in many aspects insufficient to ensure sustainability. Contrarily, they often deter necessary discussions to tackle these issues.

Keywords: biofuel certification; biofuel policy; EU RED; Cross Compliance; Germany (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2016
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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