THE EU AND PALM OIL: WHAT S GOING ON?

Transcription

1 THE EU AND PALM OIL: WHAT S GOING ON? RSPO Roundtable 9 Kota Kinabalu, 24 November 2011 Nina Činkole Delegation of the European Union to Malaysia 1

2 PRESENTATION OUTLINE EU Context & Policy background Biofuels: EU Renewable Energy Directive (EU RED) Sustainability criteria Voluntary Certification Schemes Latest developments Implications for Palm Oil Food labelling: EU Regulation on the provision of food information to consumers 2

3 EU Context More than 2 Europeans in 3 see climate change as a very serious problem Almost 80% consider that taking action to combat climate change can boost the economy and jobs* Push not only by the EU and the Member States but foremost by the European public Moving towards low-carbon economy *Special Eurobarometer 372: Climate Change (June 2011) 3

4 Climate & Energy Package (2008) The EU Policy -20% -20% 100% +20% Greenhouse gas levels Energy consumption Renewables in energy mix 4

5 EU Renewable Energy Directive (2009) Part of the EU climate and energy package A single, comprehensive Directive for 20% renewable energy in the EU in 2020 Combat climate change Security of energy supply Green jobs and innovation MS Mandatory targets Specific 10% target for renewable energy in transport Biofuels sustainability - Have to make sure biofuels contribute to the objectives of the policy 5

6 EU RED: Biofuels Sustainability Criteria No conversion of land with high carbon stock since January 2008 (wetlands, continuously forested areas, peatlands) No raw material from land that had high biodiversity value from January 2008 (primary forest, biodiverse grassland, nature protected areas) Minimum 35% greenhouse gas emission saving compared to fossil fuel (50% in 2017 / new production 60% in 2018) (EU raw materials must meet EU rules on agroenvironmental practices) 6

7 EU RED: Biofuels Sustainability Scheme Have to be met in order to: To receive incentives (from individual EU Member States) and count toward the targets (10% and the 20%) But does not stop trade in other ( unsustainable ) biofuels Single scheme across the EU Non-discriminatory, applies to both EU production and imports, all feedstocks 7

8 EU RED: How to prove compliance? Basis for evidence of compliance: the type of raw material (+ possibly the production process) the land where it came from Adequate standard of independent auditing needed according to EU Member States rules or alternatively the Commission can accredit voluntary schemes (or international agreements) June 2010 European Commission published further Guidelines on: practical implementation of the criteria voluntary schemes future updating of default values 8

9 EU RED: GHG Savings Figure Can be obtained by: Calculation of actual value according to the methodology; or Using default value ; or A combination of both Default values Predetermined values in Annex V of the Directive Set at conservative level To reduce administrative burden For different typical types of biofuels 9

10 Annex V, part A, of the Renewable Energy Directive Typical and default greenhouse gas emission savings for biofuels if produced with no net carbon emissions from landuse change Directive available at 10

11 EU RED: Voluntary Certification Schemes Economic operators can show compliance through: Actual values / Default values / Bilateral Agreement or Voluntary Schemes Voluntary schemes can apply for recognition at the EU level Applicable across the 27 EU MS, for 5 years Guidelines on voluntary schemes (June 2010) Two-step process: 1. Analysis by responsible service in the European Commission, and dialogue the scheme 2. Consultation within the Commission and with Member States 11

12 June 2011: First seven voluntary schemes recognised All types of biofuels: EU RED: Recognised Voluntary Certification Schemes ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) RSB EU RED (Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels) 2BSvs (Biomass Biofuels Sustainability voluntary scheme) Feedstock- and area-specific: Bonsucro EU (sugarcane-based ethanol, esp. Brazil) RTRS EU RED - Roundtable for Responsible Soy (soy-based diesel, esp. Argentina and Brazil) RBSA Abengoa RED Bioenergy Sustainability Assurance (ethanol, globally) Greenergy Brazilian Bioethanol verification programme (sugarcanebased ethanol in Brazil) 12

13 EU RED: Recognition of RSPO RED? RSPO applied for recognition and is at an advanced stage of the first step Would be the first voluntary certification scheme specifically for palm oil 13

14 EU RED: Other recent developments December 2010: Report on Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) ILUC can have an impact on the GHG savings of biofuels Deficiencies and uncertainties of the modelling Further work / Legislative proposal? January 2011: Reporting Guidelines Additional information to be reported in addition to meeting sustainability criteria Mainly focusing on whether a certificate of a recognised voluntary scheme is used / bonus 14

15 EU RED: Expected implications for Palm Oil No change for crude palm oil imports No change for palm oil for non-fuel Incentives for sustainably produced biofuels No trade ban, other biofuels can still be imported Palm biodiesel can be eligible for incentives - if produced under the right conditions 15

16 FOOD LABELLING: EU Regulation on the provision of food information to consumers To facilitate the choice of consumers to make balanced and healthier dietary choices To enter into force at the end of November, most rules applicable three years after that Some of the main changes: Mandatory nutrition declaration Allergens to be highlighted in the ingredient list. Origin of foods specified (for fresh meat from pigs, sheep, goat and poultry) 16

17 FOOD LABELLING: Regulation and Palm Oil Vegetable oils: consumers will in future be informed about the sources of vegetable oils Oils of vegetable origin: may be grouped together in the list of ingredients under designation vegetable oils followed by the indication of the specific vegetable origin on the basis of total weigth of the oils present ALL vegetable oils 17

18 CONCLUSION: Where does it all lead? Legislation and consumer concerns in the EU (and elsewhere) contribute to the promotion and uptake of certified sustainable palm oil Palm Oil Can be creator of sustainable growth and employment Competitive fuel source for the world economy Potent contributor to a better climate As long as it is produced sustainably... 18

19 Thank you!