The Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) has today published its new working paper, which examines the Cascading Principle – a key feature of the Renewable Energy Directive 2023/2413 (REDIII) – and its integration into SBP Standard 1 (v2.0).

Cascading introduces a structured hierarchy for the use of wood, similar to the waste hierarchy. It prioritises the use of wood in long-lived products, such as furniture and building materials, before considering options for repair, reuse, or recycling. Only when these pathways have been fully explored should woody biomass be used for energy production.

SBP Standard 1 (v2.0) incorporates cascading, creating a framework to support SBP Certificate Holders in meeting their sustainability commitments and obligations. This framework also provides a resource for legislators transposing REDIII into national law.

Chris O’Brien, SBP Carbon Project Manager, commented, “Our focus is to assure that woody biomass entering the bioenergy supply chain does so responsibly, in alignment with the cascading hierarchy. This working paper provides ideas and guidance on applying cascading principles through the SBP certification scheme, assuring sustainable resource use and supporting the transition to a circular bioeconomy.”

The working paper also offers additional insights into the practical application of Article 3 of REDIII, further enabling stakeholders to align with the Directive’s requirements.

Read the full working paper¹ here.

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Notes:

¹ This document is published as a working paper and is subject to revision and evolution over time. SBP continuously strives to improve and refine its materials and welcomes feedback from stakeholders. Comments, suggestions for changes, and proposals for clarifications or revisions are highly valued. Please contact us at: info@sbp-cert.org.

Today, the Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) has launched public consultations on the newly developed Regional Risk Assessments (RRAs) for US – National Forests and Vietnam.

As a result of the Standards Development Process launched in May 2020, both SBP Standards 1 and 2 were revised, thus triggering the review of all existing SBP-endorsed RRAs and initiating the development of new RRAs. The consortium of Incos Strategies and Cambium Consulting with financial support from the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities (US – National Forests) and the Vietnamese Academy of Forest Sciences (Vietnam) were appointed as the Working Bodies responsible for drafting the new RRAs. Those draft RRAs have now been submitted to SBP.

SBP is inviting all stakeholders to participate in the public consultations on the draft RRAs. All comments from the public consultations, alongside comments from local experts mandated by SBP, will be reviewed by the Secretariat and may lead to changes to the draft RRAs. Updated versions will then be published by SBP (expected Q1 2025) for Biomass Producers to use for certification purposes. At the same time, those versions will be shared with SBP Technical Committee for final review and recommendations for endorsement.

Stakeholders may access the documents via the links below, and are requested to submit comments, via the individual feedback platforms set up for the respective RRAs. (Note that the feedback platforms might differ between RRAs). Both consultations close on Friday, 13 December 2024.

Regional Risk Assessment	Feedback Platform
US – National Forests	Link
Vietnam*	Link

* Vietnamese version available here.

If you have any questions regarding the public consultation or the RRA development procedure, please do not hesitate to contact us at RRA@sbp-cert.org.

RRAs are a key part of SBP’s focus on identifying and managing risks associated with sustainably sourcing feedstock for biomass production. With an RRA covering an entire geographic region, and determining the risks associated with sourcing feedstock from that region, the need for individual Biomass Producers to conduct risk assessments is avoided, leading to an efficient and consistent risk assessment process. RRAs also ensure active engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders in the region.

The Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) is pleased to announce the release of its EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) add-on module within the SBP Data Transfer System (DTS). This new module, developed in collaboration with Global Traceability Solutions (GTS) and supported by our EUDR Working Group,  is specifically designed to support our Certificate Holders as they navigate the evolving regulatory landscape for sustainable biomass.

The EUDR add-on module integrates seamlessly with the existing DTS platform, assisting Biomass Producers with demonstrating compliance with certain EUDR requirements. Key features include real-time data transfer capabilities, traceability of supply chains, and comprehensive record-keeping, empowering Biomass Producers to streamline data processes and supporting compliance demonstration directly through the DTS.

Carsten Huljus, SBP CEO said, “This new functionality marks an important step in our commitment to advancing sustainable biomass practices. With the EUDR add-on module, our Certificate Holders are better equipped to enhance transparency and assurance in their supply chains, bolstering their presence in the EU market and reinforcing their dedication to forest protection and sustainable biomass production.”

The EUDR add-on module also offers capabilities tailored to operators in the EU market, such as conducting risk assessments, describing risk mitigation measures, and submitting Due Diligence Statements to the EU Information System. Full functionality will be made available over the coming months, depending on the availability of the EU Information System/Deforestation Due Diligence Registry.

As a voluntary tool, it is currently available for trial at no cost to our Certificate Holders, allowing Biomass Producers sufficient time to proactively prepare for forthcoming EUDR data requests from their EU-based customers.

SBP and GTS remain committed to ongoing development of the EUDR add-on module ensuring that it evolves in line with industry needs and regulatory updates.

For further information on the EUDR add-on module, please refer to the updated DTS User Guide available on SBP’s website or contact dts@sbp-cert.org.

The Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) is currently recruiting for a new Board Director to represent Biomass Producers. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced and motivated individual to join SBP’s Board, contributing valuable insights and strategic guidance to shape the sustainable future of biomass in the bioeconomy.

The successful candidate will be appointed in a personal capacity and represent the interests and perspectives of Biomass Producers, playing a critical role in the governance and direction of SBP. With an extensive understanding of the biomass industry, the ideal candidate will bring expertise and vision to support SBP’s ongoing efforts to promote responsible sourcing and sustainability.

Applications are open now, and we invite candidates with relevant expertise to apply. For more information on this opportunity, including requirements and application details, please visit the careers page of the SBP website here.

Today, the Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) has launched public consultations on the revised Regional Risk Assessments (RRAs) for British Columbia and Quebec, and the newly developed RRAs for Alberta, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Denmark – Trees Outside Forests, and US – Primary Sourcing Regions.

As a result of the Standards Development Process launched in May 2020, both SBP Standards 1 and 2 were revised, thus triggering the review of all existing SBP-endorsed RRAs and initiating the development of new RRAs. Hopkin Forest Management Consulting (AL, BC, NB, NS), Incos Strategies (QC), B4Trees (Denmark – TOF) and New March Strategies (US – Primary Sourcing Regions) were appointed as the Working Bodies responsible for drafting revised and new RRAs. Those draft RRAs have now been submitted to SBP.

SBP is inviting all stakeholders to participate in the public consultations on the draft RRAs. All comments received from the public consultations, alongside comments from local experts mandated by SBP, will be reviewed by the Secretariat and may lead to changes to the draft RRAs. Updated versions will then be published by SBP (expected Q1 2025) for Biomass Producers to use for certification purposes. At the same time, those versions will be shared with SBP Technical Committee for final review and recommendations for endorsement.

Stakeholders may access the documents via the links below, and are requested to submit comments through the individual feedback platforms set up for the respective RRAs. (Note that feedback platforms might differ between RRAs.) All consultations close on Friday, 6 December 2024.

Regional Risk Assessment	Feedback Platform
Canadian province of Alberta	Link
Canadian province of British Columbia	Link
Canadian province of New Brunswick	Link
Canadian province of Nova Scotia	Link
Canadian province of Quebec	Link
Denmark – Trees Outside Forests	Link
US – Primary Sourcing Regions	Link

If you have any questions regarding the public consultations or the RRA development procedure, please do not hesitate to contact us at RRA@sbp-cert.org.

RRAs are a key part of SBP’s focus on identifying and managing risks associated with sustainably sourcing feedstock for biomass production. With an RRA covering an entire geographic region, and determining the risks associated with sourcing feedstock from that region, the need for individual Biomass Producers to conduct risk assessments is avoided, leading to an efficient and consistent risk assessment process. RRAs also ensure active engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders in the region.

The Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) is pleased to announce recent changes to our Board of Directors. We welcome two new directors, Diane Nicholls and Michael Schytz, who will represent Biomass Producers and End-users, respectively. As with all SBP Board appointees, both will serve on the board in a personal capacity, and we are confident that their expertise and sector knowledge will be of great value as SBP continues its work to support sustainability and responsible biomass sourcing and production.

Diane is Vice President of Sustainability for North America at Drax Group, and Michael is Vice President of Biomass Sourcing at HOFOR.

At the same time, we would like to acknowledge and thank John Keppler and David Wong, who have recently stepped down from their positions on the board. John Keppler, Co-founder of Enviva, served since December 2018 and David Wong, Executive Director of PIO Hardwoods and Rainbow Pellet, since December 2021. We are extremely grateful for the significant contributions they have made during their tenure. Their dedication and invaluable contributions have played a key role in shaping the future of SBP, guiding us through a period of significant growth and evolution. We wish them the very best in their future endeavours.

As we look ahead, there is currently one vacancy on the Board for a director to represent the interests of Biomass Producers. We will now begin the search for a suitable candidate. We have been fortunate in the past to attract highly qualified individuals whose knowledge and leadership have strengthened our organisation. We remain committed to ensuring that our Board reflects the diversity and perspectives of all stakeholders, upholding SBP’s dedication to multistakeholder governance.

We look forward to continuing our work with the additional guidance of our newly appointed directors as we further our purpose in expanding the contribution of good biomass in the global bioeconomy.

SBP is pleased to announce the publication of our recently revised Theory of Change, marking a significant step forward in our commitment to driving sustainable practices in the biomass industry. This comprehensive update aligns with our refreshed strategy and our revised Standards (v2.0), ensuring we remain at the forefront of promoting responsible biomass practices.

The updated Theory of Change encapsulates SBP’s strategic aims and operational activities, designed to deliver measurable and impactful outcomes. Our revised framework underscores our dedication to sustainability, transparency, and continuous improvement within the biomass sector.

Carsten Huljus, SBP CEO commented, “We are excited to share our revised Theory of Change, which not only aligns with our refreshed strategy but also integrates the advancements made in our revised Standards. This revision reflects our ongoing commitment to driving positive change and fostering sustainable practices across the biomass supply chain”.

The development of this revised Theory of Change was a collaborative process, enriched by the valuable feedback received from our stakeholders during the public consultation period. We extend our sincere gratitude to all participants for their insightful contributions, which have been instrumental in shaping a robust and forward-thinking framework. Alongside the revised Theory of Change, we have also published a detailed response to the consultation, addressing the feedback and outlining how it has been incorporated into the final version.

The revised Theory of Change will serve as a guiding document for SBP, our partners, and the wider biomass community, helping to drive collective action towards a more sustainable and responsible future.

Access the revised Theory of Change and our response to consultation here.

The Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) has today published the revised Regional Risk Assessments (RRAs) for Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

As a result of the Standards Development Process launched in May 2020, both SBP Standards 1 and 2 were revised, thus triggering the review of all existing SBP-endorsed RRAs. Indufor Oy was appointed as the Working Body responsible for reviewing and revising the existing SBP-endorsed RRAs for Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

RRAs are a key part of SBP’s focus on identifying and managing risks associated with sustainably sourcing feedstock for biomass production. With an RRA covering an entire geographic region, and determining the risks associated with sourcing feedstock from that region, the need for individual Biomass Producers to conduct risk assessments is avoided, leading to an efficient and consistent risk assessment process. RRAs also ensure active engagement with a diverse range of stakeholders in the region.

The revised RRAs can be viewed here.

Date: 4 September 2024
Duration: 1 hour
Time: 10am CET and 6pm CET
Recording: Available on our YouTube channel after the event

Webinar Overview:

Navigating the complexities of the EU Deforestation-free Products Regulation (EUDR) can be challenging, especially for those in the woody biomass supply chain. Join us for an informative webinar where we will outline SBP’s approach to EUDR compliance, addressing the specific challenges posed by the regulation.

What You’ll Learn:

• Detailed insights into our EUDR add-on module for the SBP Data Transfer System (DTS).
• EUDR compliance versus the SBP framework.

Webinar Format: The session will feature a series of presentations from our expert speakers, followed by an interactive Q&A session where you can get your specific questions answered.

Meet the Speakers:

• Carsten Huljus, SBP CEO
• Ulrich Heindl, Global Traceability CEO
• Lauri Kärmas, SBP Data Manager and Analyst
• Alex Orban, SBP Standards Manager
• Roman Polyachenko, SBP Assurance Manager

Who Should Attend: While the primary audience includes SBP Certificate Holders and Certification Bodies, the webinar is open to all interested parties who wish to stay ahead in EUDR compliance.

How to Register: Secure your spot by registering online.

Click here to register for the 10am CET session

Click here to register for the 6pm CET session

Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and ensure your compliance with EUDR. We look forward to your participation!

For any questions or additional information, please contact us at info@sbp-cert.org.

Stay compliant, stay informed with SBP!

The Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) has today launched the public consultation on its revised Theory of Change.

The updates reflect our refreshed purpose and strategic aims. We have aligned each focus area identified in our core strategy with our impact pathways. These pathways clearly delineate the causal relationships between our strategic aims, inputs, activities, resultant outputs, intended outcomes, and overall impact. This comprehensive framework ultimately supports and fulfils our organisational purpose.

We explain how each element – from inputs to impact – interconnects to drive meaningful progress. Stakeholder feedback will be invaluable in refining this framework to ensure it accurately represents our aims and the steps we need to achieve them.

We invite all interested parties to engage in this dialogue, share your perspectives, and contribute to the continuous improvement of our certification scheme. Together, we can enhance the clarity and effectiveness of our approach, ensuring it resonates with and benefits all stakeholders involved. Thank you for your participation and commitment to our shared purpose.

For the consultation draft and more details on how to participate in the public consultation please follow the link. The deadline for feedback is Monday, 8 July 2024.