Sustainability certification in the aviation industry

Abstract

In the first part of the chapter, existing regulatory framework conditions, initiatives as well as voluntary certification schemes with relevance for the aviation industry were determined. Therefore 18 sustainability certification schemes, which are recognized by the European Commission (EC) and have a relevance for biofuels used in the aviation industry, were compared with respect to their geographic and certification scope, transparency, market coverage, traceability and their sustainability performance in covering legal requirements and beyond. A more in-depth benchmark was performed for the five multi-stakeholder schemes Bonsucro EU, ISCC EU, RSB EU RED, RSPO RED and RTRS EU RED based on the ITC tool Standards Map. The benchmark included requirements in the field of environmental, social and economic sustainability. The second part of the chapter provides insights into the certification system ISCC, a globally leading certification system covering the entire supply chain and all kinds of bio based feedstocks and renewables. Independent third party certification ensures zero deforestation, no compensation and compliance with high ecological and social sustainability requirements, greenhouse gas emissions savings and traceability throughout the supply chain. ISCC can be applied in various markets including the bioenergy sector, the food and feed market and the chemical market. Since its start of operation in 2010, more than 13,000 certificates in more than 100 countries have been issued.