Moving from regional to global sustainability rules: The proposed global sustainability regulation for biomass-derived jet fuel

Abstract

Several jurisdictions such as the European Union and the United States have implemented sustainability requirements for the production and use of biomass-derived products, in particular with regard to bioenergy. Currently, the International Civil Aviation Organization is developing a global system for the inclusion of alternative jet fuels (from biomass and industrial wastes) into the upcoming “carbon offsetting and reduction system for international aviation” (CORSIA). In order to be eligible for monetary incentives under CORSIA, alternative jet fuel will need to provide evidence for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional petroleum-derived jet fuel, as well as to comply with additional environmental, economic and social sustainability requirements. In order to capture these additional sustainability requirements, a global sustainability umbrella standard is being proposed that leverages existing regional regulation and standards as much as possible while acknowledging the differences in definitions and practices. The presentation talk about Hasselt University’s role in developing and implementing this global umbrella standard for sustainability. It provides insights about the current state of knowledge on the sustainability of different alternative jet fuel pathways and will discuss the option space for appropriately accounting for the heterogeneous sustainability properties of different fuels within the CORSIA system. Finally, lessons will be offered with regard to the development of global sustainability requirements for bio-commodities, in general.