The Council on Sustainable Biomass Production (CSBP) is a multi-stakeholder organization established in 2007 to develop comprehensive voluntary sustainability standards for the production of biomass and its conversion to bioenergy. CSBP intends for its Standard to serve as the foundation for an independent third-party certification program, which will set the emerging bioenergy industry on a course of continuous improvement. The CSBP enjoys participation from growers, environmental and social interests and all sectors of the industry (click here for board of directors and member lists). All members support the goals and objectives of the program. CSBP is developing a comprehensive program that will include education and training components as well as support for the auditing and compliance process. CSBP also is designing a balanced and effective governance structure for the implementation and management of the program.  CSBP’s work is supported in part by the Natural Resource Conservation Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture (Conservation Innovation Grant 69-3A75-10-178; CSBP’s findings and publications do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture).

Overview of the CSBP Provisional Standard for Sustainable Production of Agricultural Biomass

Download the Provisional Standard for Sustainable Production of Agricultural Biomass 

OVERVIEW OF THE CSBP PROVISIONAL STANDARD FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION OF AGRICULTURAL BIOMASS

The CSBP intends for its Provisional Standard for Sustainable Production of Agricultural Biomass to be cost effective enough to be widely implemented, while assuring truly sustainable production of biomass.

Feedstocks included: The CSBP Standard applies to biomass produced from non-food sources, including:

• Dedicated fuel crops

• Crop residues

• Native vegetation

Issues Addressed: The CSBP Standard addresses the full complement of sustainability issues through principles, criteria, and indicators applicable to both agriculture and silviculture. The key categories of criteria include:

Integrated Resources Management Planning: Effective management planning to ensure continuous improvement is the foundation of sustainable biomass production for both farms and forests.

Soil quality: The Standard promotes protection of soil fertility, water-holding capacity, and carbon content.   

Biological Diversity: The Standard promotes conservation and, where possible, enhancement of biological diversity. The Standard prohibits conversion of lands of high priority for meeting conservation goals, and will limit use of potentially invasive feedstock species.

Water Quality and Quantity: The Standard promotes protection and enhancement of surface and ground water quality, as well as prevents their depletion.

Climate Change: The Standard requires significant improvements in greenhouse gas emissions in comparison to conventional fuels, based on widely-accepted lifecycle analysis. 

Socio-Economic Well-Being: The Standard promotes rural development as well as strict compliance with all human rights and labor protections laws.

Legality: The Standard promotes knowledge of and compliance with all applicable laws, statutes, and regulations.

Transparency: The Standard promotes transparency in its certification process to encourage fair practices and discussion.

Continuous Improvement: The Standard promotes growth with and adaptation to new research, technology, and best practices.