THE RSB PRINCIPLES

The most comprehensive way to address key sustainability issues in the bioeconomy.

The RSB Principles & Criteria describe how to produce fuel, biomass and material products from bio-based and recycled carbon, including fossil waste, in an environmentally, socially and economically responsible way. Because of the RSB’s unique decision-making structure based on consensus among all relevant stakeholders, the RSB Principles & Criteria are recognised as best-in-class in addressing key sustainability issues in a comprehensive way.

The RSB Principles & Criteria are based on a management and risk-oriented approach. Together with the RSB’s online tools and related guidance documents, the RSB Principles & Criteria help operators to identify and manage sustainability issues in a specific context and therefore reduce risks for operators, brand owners and investors.

Our Principles

  • Principle 1: Legality
  • Principle 2: Planning, Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
  • Principle 3: Greenhouse Gas Emissions
  • Principle 4: Human & Labour Rights
  • Principle 5: Rural and Social Development
  • Principle 6: Local Food Security
  • Principle 7: Conservation
  • Principle 8: Soil
  • Principle 9: Water
  • Principle 10: Air Quality
  • Principle 11: Use of Technology, Inputs, and Management of Waste
  • Principle 12: Land Rights

  • Principle 1: Legality

    Operations follow all applicable laws and regulations.

  • Principle 2: Planning, Monitoring and Continuous Improvement

    Sustainable operations are planned, implemented, and continuously improved through an open, transparent, and consultative impact assessment and management process and an economic viability analysis.

  • Principle 3: Greenhouse Gas Emissions

    Biofuels contribute to climate change mitigation by significantly reducing life-cycle GHG emissions as compared to fossil fuels.

  • Principle 4: Human & Labour Rights

    Operations do not violate human rights or labour rights, and promote decent work and the well-being of workers.

  • Principle 5: Rural and Social Development

    In regions of poverty, operations contribute to the social and economic development of local, rural and indigenous people and communities.

  • Principle 6: Local Food Security

    Operations ensure the human right to adequate food and improve food security in food insecure regions.

  • Principle 7: Conservation

    Operations avoid negative impacts on biodiversity, ecosystems, and conservation values.

  • Principle 8: Soil

    Operations implement practices that seek to reverse soil degradation and/or maintain soil health.

  • Principle 9: Water

    Operations maintain or enhance the quality and quantity of surface and groundwater resources, and respect prior formal or customary water rights.

  • Principle 10: Air Quality

    Air pollution is minimised along the whole supply chain.

  • Principle 11: Use of Technology, Inputs, and Management of Waste

    The use of technologies seeks to maximise production efficiency and social and environmental performance, and minimise the risk of damage to the environment and people.

  • Principle 12: Land Rights

    Operations respect land rights and land use rights.

Downloads

Download the RSB Principles & Criteria (RSB-STD-01-001)

We Support Water-Secure Communities

Our unique Standard ensures that water access is protected – for both producers and communities.

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Measuring Our Impact

The RSB trademark is a guarantee for sustainable production.

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What we do

RSB works with all aspects of the bioeconomy.

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Who we are

The RSB has members from a worldwide movement of businesses, NGOs, academics, government and UN organisations that all have the same goal.

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Testimonial

“Bioenergy can make an important contribution to providing access to sustainable energy for all. Credible sustainability standards, such as the one developed by the RSB, help manage risks on a project level and promote best practices among producers and processors, complementing sound regional and national energy planning and policy.”

UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

Our Advisory Services are designed to help guide the path to certification

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