ISCC Plantation Audit and Land Use Assessment Training

Objectives

The conversion of land with high biodiversity value or high carbon stocks is an issue of particular importance in international sustainability discussions.

The EU’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) has defined strict requirements regarding land use and land use change. According to this, a conversion of areas with high biodiversity value or high carbon stocks to produce biomass for biofuels eligible for quota fulfilments of the oil companies or to be entitled for tax incentives is not possible, if converted in or after January 2008. This has been set as cut off date. Land use changes after the cut off date in areas other than the ones protected by the RED II have to fulfil strict criteria.

Such requirements are increasingly implemented in conventional markets as well. E.g. the Consumer Goods Forum has set a zero deforestation target for supplies of certain agricultural commodities. The chemical industry using biomass for the production of bio- plastics, packaging material or cosmetics and detergents is also requesting sustainable inputs. It should be ensured that unwanted land use change is being avoided. In the USA, large retailer groups and fast food chains are implementing respective sustainability requirements. They all do not want to use biomass produced on recently converted land with high biodiversity or carbon stocks.

The training will provide a comprehensive insight into the ISCC requirements for audits on plantation level. Procedures to be applied in audits will be explained, and a particular focus will be set on definitions of different land categories and how to assess them in practical terms. Difficult cases such as the assessment of scrubland will be elaborated in presentations and also in group work sessions. In addition, land right issues and smallholder auditing will be covered. Ecological and social issues of plantation audits will be addressed as well. Finally, new tools to facilitate and ease the audit on plantation level will be presented.

Benefits at a Glance

• Update knowledge about sustainability requirements in biofuels and conventional markets
• Update and achieve a comprehensive understanding of land use related sustainability
criteria
• Get a thorough understanding of what kind of land use change is critical and what is not
• Get a clear picture of the evidence required for land use assessments and potential expansions in uncritical areas
• Strengthen awareness of the difficulty and complexity of land use change in problematic areas
• Further deepen understanding of ISCC audit requirements and tools available
• Become more familiar with typical cases and required assessments
• Conduct and discuss case studies with other participants. This will ease application of learnings in practice
• Strengthen understanding of implications of land use change on certification and GHG emissions

Target Group

Certification bodies, auditors, company representatives involved in ISCC certification or with an interest in plantation audits and land use assessments, NGOs, research bodies and authorities.

General Note

• ISCC trainings are open for all interested parties
• ISCC trainings are held in English (if not stated otherwise)
• The training documents are provided to all participants in electronic form via download link
• Participants should use their laptops for the training
• A Proof of Participation can only be issued for participants who attend the entire training to the end and also actively participate in the group work

Payment and cancellation policy