Mandatory requirements in relation to air, soil, or water protection: analysis of need and feasibility [as part of Study on the operation of the system for the biofuels and bioliquids sustainability scheme]

This report explores the impacts of expansion and intensification of agricultural production for biofuel purposes on soil and water resources leading to air pollution. Criteria for addressing soil quality have been proposed, for example, by the "RED plus" sustainability criteria developed under the Biomass Futures project and the indicators suggested are to "avoid erosion"and "maintain SOC" . Given the need to avoid negative environmental impacts of bio fuel use, it is important for the European Commission (EC) to understand the potential risks f or soil, air and water resources in countries producing biofuels and/or their feedstocks. This is expected to facilitate the development of an appropriate policy response with the aim of ensuring the environmental integrity of biofuels and bioliquids consumed in the EU. An assessment presenting the environmental risks of some of the main crops used as feedstocks for biofuel production is presented in this report, and has informed the analysis of the need for mandatory criteria to protect soil, air and water. Following that, the feasibility of introducing mandatory criteria is discussed.

The report concludes that considerable potential risks to sustainability from biofuel cultivation exist, particularly risks to soils and to water quality and water availability. Given these risks to valuable non-renewable resources, introducing some form of environmental safeguards is necessary to avoid further aggravation of existing adverse impacts. Mitigation of these risks is critical not only for the sustainability of the resource base but also for en suring continued provision of associated societal needs, including food and other ecosystem services. It is evident that the soil, water and air risks from feedstock cultivation for biofuel are on the w hole the same as the risks from any kind of agricultural expansion. However, the study has found that in many situations, biofuel markets bring additional pressure on the areas under existing agricultural use and have acted as an important driver in the intensification and expansion of intensive agriculture into areas with challenging soil conditions in particular. Promoting good agricultural practices for the production of feedstocks used for biofuels, both within and outside the EU, through the RED, is likely to contribute to the mitigation of the risks identified.