ISCC in Numbers
At present, ISCC has issued more than 40,000 certificates – thereof more than 5000 in 2021. The certified companies are located in more than 100 countries and range from farms and plantations, and First Gathering Points (FGPs) for agricultural materials to Points of Origin (PoO) and Collecting Points (CP) for waste and residue feedstocks to different kinds of processing units (i.a. biodiesel, bioethanol and biogas plants) as well as diverse set-ups for trading and logistic activities (traders, warehouses, logistic centers). The following data was gathered during the ISCC auditor survey conducted for the ISCC Impact Report 2022.
Environmental Impact
ISCC’s auditors’ survey underlines the positive environmental impact due to an ISCC certification. 55% of auditors reported an improved waste management, while 44% noted an increased use of renewable energy at ISCC certified entities. Furthermore, about 35% of auditors answered that ISCC has contributed to reduce deforestation and land use change. Lastly, still more than 20% recognised an improvement in fertiliser application and the conservation of high carbon stock or high biodiverse areas at certified entities.
Economic Impact
Economic sustainability means that a company operates sustainably in the long-term and this correlates equally with the long-term economic development, the protection of the environment and social stability. By prioritising economic sustainability, ISCC certified sites can produce materials that not only benefit the environment, but also sustain a long-term profitability that secures livelihoods and contributes to social well-being.
Social Impact
Nearly 60% of ISCC auditors consider the occupational safety of employees at certified farms and plantations as improved, as well as the presence of professional knowledge and skills. Moreover, 30% of ISCC auditors answered that they indeed noted better living conditions and more opportunities for employee participation at certified entities due to the ISCC certification, and over 20% mentioned an improved inclusion of smallholders (ISCC Impact Report 2022).
Beyond the continuous development and enhancement of the system standard, ISCC strives to increase its impact through extended outreach activities as well as system expansion. At ISCC, we continue to support companies in complying with today’s and tomorrow’s mandatory sustainability requirements, but also in their voluntary contributions towards a more sustainable world. The results of the ISCC Impact Report are used to identify potentials for improvement of the system (e.g. strengthening women’s rights). These potentials can be used to adjust the sustainability requirements in the ISCC standards, add auditor qualities, change or add training focus areas – to ultimately position ISCC more effectively today and for the future to achieve real positive impact.