Sustainability Issues in Biomass Feedstock Production: A Policy Perspective - Engineering and Science of Biomass Feedstock Production and Provision - page 243

take into account GHG emissions from ILUC, they do not take into account the
negative, indirect environmental effects of ILUC avoidance through livestock
intensifi cation that have been the subject of much environmental dispute in the
United States [ 90 , 91 ].
The sugar cane sector in Brazil has been subject to much criticism for its labor
practices involving poor, uneducated workers, both internally and from interna-
tional human rights groups. Although Brazilian authorities have pursued action
under labor laws against poor working conditions, the conditions for laborers have
only until recently began to improve [ 82 ]. Under pressure from critics and threat of
further enforcement, UNICA signed a voluntary agreement with fi ve Brazilian fed-
eral ministries to improve labor practices in sugar cane production in 2009 [ 82 ]. The
industry has promised to provide work contracts, improved conditions for migrant
workers, transparency in how workers are paid by unit of production, better health
and safety mechanisms, improved transportation conditions, the provision of meals,
the possibility of unionization, and reporting of practices.
Brazil does maintain the “Social Seal” program for biodiesel, which, in addition
to mandating 5 % blending after 2013, forces biodiesel producers to buy at least
50 % of feedstocks from family farmers in order to qualify for the government's
price premium and other incentives [ 88 , 92 ]. Criteria have been developed to moni-
tor whether the Social Seal program requirements are met, and companies must sub-
mit quarterly data to the Ministry of Agriculture. These include reporting on technical
assistance provided to farmers, maintaining food security, respect for cultural prac-
tices, sustainability systems that emphasize indigenous, local practice knowledge,
appropriate management of soil and water resources, consideration of women and
children in income generation, and measures to reduce poverty in rural areas.

9.2.4 Private Sustainability Standards

Thus far, the EU RED has recognized several voluntary schemes to verify sustain-
ability criteria [ 93 ], including the International Sustainability and Carbon
Certifi cation (ISCC), Bonsucro EU, the Roundtable on Responsible Soy (RTRS)
EU, the Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) EU RED, Biomass Biofuels
voluntary scheme (2BSvs), Abengoa RED Bioenergy Sustainability Assurance
(RBSA), Greenergy Brazilian Bioethanol verifi cation program, ENSUS, Red
Tractor, SQC, Red Cert, and NTA 8000 [ 94 ]. US-based stakeholders similarly have
come together to form the Council for Sustainable Biomass Production (CSBP) and
have issued a fi nal standard and guidance in anticipation of verifi cation require-
ments in the United States [ 95 ]. Standards share common principles of soil, water,
and air pollution avoidance, biodiversity protection, GHG accounting, legality, and
social (e.g., labor, land rights, food security) considerations.
Although neither the federal or state governments in the United States require
sustainability certifi cation at this time for transportation fuels or electricity, in 2013,
California's ARB will begin benchmarking its draft principles and criteria for its