TY - CHAP

T1 - International Sustainability Standards and Certification

AU - Moser, Christine

AU - Hildebrandt, Tina

AU - Bailis, Robert

PY - 2014/11/1

Y1 - 2014/11/1

N2 - Standards have evolved as the major mode of governance for biofuels. In particular, the European Union (EU) policy approach actively employs a variety of voluntary certification standards under its meta-standard in order to safeguard sustainability of its mandated biofuel demand. Advantages and disadvantages of this novel, hybrid governance arrangement have been widely discussed. In order to fully understand the implications of this international governance arrangement, we argue that more research is required to determine the dynamics that evolve in specific contexts as to whether standards come to matter and which. In this chapter, we highlight two macro-level factors of such dynamics-markets and policy-for the geographic focus of this volume: Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The current adoption of standards reflects the production and trade patterns of the region. EU sustainability criteria are most relevant for the biodiesel exporting industry in Argentina, while the US standard for greenhouse gas (GHG) savings influences Brazilian ethanol producers. Showing a tendency to minimal compliance, the current standard adoption in Argentina points at problematic dynamics within the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) governance arrangement. Weak regulatory and policy frameworks may pose barriers to the uptake of certification standards. Especially in LAC, where biofuel production often developed from already existing flex crop industries, biofuel policy is embedded in multiple sectoral policy areas and historical agrarian structures. The EU's 100% captive market for certified biofuels is likely to help overcoming this barrier. However, further research is urgently needed as to whether certification in weak policy contexts has complementarity or cosmetic effects.

AB - Standards have evolved as the major mode of governance for biofuels. In particular, the European Union (EU) policy approach actively employs a variety of voluntary certification standards under its meta-standard in order to safeguard sustainability of its mandated biofuel demand. Advantages and disadvantages of this novel, hybrid governance arrangement have been widely discussed. In order to fully understand the implications of this international governance arrangement, we argue that more research is required to determine the dynamics that evolve in specific contexts as to whether standards come to matter and which. In this chapter, we highlight two macro-level factors of such dynamics-markets and policy-for the geographic focus of this volume: Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The current adoption of standards reflects the production and trade patterns of the region. EU sustainability criteria are most relevant for the biodiesel exporting industry in Argentina, while the US standard for greenhouse gas (GHG) savings influences Brazilian ethanol producers. Showing a tendency to minimal compliance, the current standard adoption in Argentina points at problematic dynamics within the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) governance arrangement. Weak regulatory and policy frameworks may pose barriers to the uptake of certification standards. Especially in LAC, where biofuel production often developed from already existing flex crop industries, biofuel policy is embedded in multiple sectoral policy areas and historical agrarian structures. The EU's 100% captive market for certified biofuels is likely to help overcoming this barrier. However, further research is urgently needed as to whether certification in weak policy contexts has complementarity or cosmetic effects.

KW - Sustainability sciences, Management & Economics

KW - Biofuels policy

KW - Blending mandates

KW - Certification

KW - European Union Renewable Energy Directive (EU RED)

KW - Food security

KW - Governance

KW - Greenhouse gas (GHG)

KW - Land rights

KW - Land use change

KW - Sugarcane

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84929852781&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/978-1-4614-9275-7_2

DO - 10.1007/978-1-4614-9275-7_2

M3 - Chapter

SN - 1461492742

SN - 9781461492740

VL - 9781461492757

SP - 27

EP - 69

BT - Sustainable Development of Biofuels in Latin America and the Caribbean

A2 - Solomon , Barry D.

A2 - Bailis, Robert

PB - Springer

CY - New York

ER -