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SUPPLY CHAIN MAPPING
• Mapping of biomass supply chains that have been selected by the client.
• Description of RSB sustainability criteria that apply for selected biomass types (e.g. crops, residues etc.) and supply chain operators (e.g. cultivation, trade, processing) in the region of operation (e.g. food insecure region, region of poverty)
• Describing methods to establish traceability in the mapped supply chain (i.e. documentation of sustainability from the biomass cultivation through to the final use).
• Discussing recommendations for ensuring sustainability and traceability and next steps related to RSB certification.
Deliverables:
Mapping report with recommendations
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GAP ANALYSIS
RSB offers an analysis of sustainability standards or management practices already used in the supply chain, including a benchmark of the sustainability standards and management practices, including GHG calculation, used in the supply chain against the RSB standard.
Deliverables:
Gap analysis report and recommendations for potential corrective actions.
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ADVICE ON RSB CERTIFICATION PROCESS
RSB experts will provide advice during the period that the client is preparing for the certification. The following activities will be performed:
• Guidance on the definition of RSB Scope(s) for certification;
• Support during the RSB application process and use of pre-assessment tools (Risk assessment and Screening exercise);
• Review the GHG calculation prepared by the client;
• Review the ESMP (Environmental and Social Management Plan) prepared by the client;
• Review the Chain of custody systems and procedures prepared by the client;
• Guidance related to potential arrangements including smallholder groups and their management system;
• Support the client in the organization for third part audits (RSB audits are performed by accredited independent Certification Bodies and should be negotiated and contracted directly by the client; costs of audits are not covered by this current proposal);
• Guidance on other topics that are likely to arise during the implementation and preparation for certification.
Deliverables:
Guidance and reviewed documents
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DEVELOPMENT OF “SUSTAINABILITY PROTOCOL”
RSB experts will develop a “Sustainability protocol” in line with RSB standards, to be applied by the company and, or its partners / suppliers.
This protocol aims to be a user friendly and consistent “key for decision” for evaluation of feedstocks, as per RSB definitions. The protocol will also refer to the applicable RSB standards and documents and provide guidance related to their implementation. If the company or its suppliers wants to go ahead with RSB certification, they will have the “road map” from the “Sustainability Protocol.
Deliverables:
A user friendly “Sustainability Protocol” to be tested in a case study selected by the client.
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STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
RSB requires stakeholder consultation by growers, producers and processing facilities seeking certification. Auditors of these facilities also carry out a stakeholder consultation.
RSB experts will suggest optimum ways for the client to organise and document this process. The following topics will be covered:
• Identification of stakeholders (local/regional/national);
• Communications with different types of stakeholders;
• Communicating with staff.
Deliverables:
• Outcomes from discussion on stakeholder lists summarised.
• Review of the client stakeholder list and procedure for carrying out stakeholder consultation and suggestion for improvements
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SUSTAINABLE FEEDSTOCK RESOURCE ASSESSMENT
RSB can support a client in identifying sustainable feedstock sources for a future product or production facility
Deliverables:
• A summary of current volume and energy production potential of all selected feedstocks that meet RSB principles;
• A summary of the amount of land available for the production of all selected feedstocks, including a discussion of indirect land use change;
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RSB TRAINING (ONLINE OR IN-PERSON): “INTRODUCTION TO RSB IMPLEMENTATION”
RSB staff will prepare a training course, customised to the clients needs. It will allow the operator’s team or suppliers to familiarise themselves with the main aspects of RSB certification and to implement the standards in their context. The following topics will be covered by the training session:
a. RSB Scheme Overview
b. RSB Principles & Criteria
c. Screening Tool and Self Risk Assessment
d. Environmental and Social Management Plan
e. Chain of Custody & RSB Claims
f. GHG Calculation
Deliverables:
Training course (online or in-person) offered by a RSB Senior expert (training materials in English), with customised exercises.
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DEVELOPMENT OF NATIONAL INDICATORS
RSB’s advisory team will carry out the adaptation of a certification protocol for a country or a region considering the RSB Principles & Criteria and the scope (feedstock and products) requested by the client.
The development of a national or regional interpretation of the RSB indicators will also include stakeholder consultation (industry, farmers, NGOs, academia, government institutions) to contextualize and test the draft RSB indicators and guidance.
The RSB team will lead the process and can have support of local experts.
Deliverables:
RSB National or regional indicators and a summary report of the process.
*Please note that national RSB indicators need to be approved by RSB before coming into force.
