Företags val av verifieringssystem för biodrivmedel - En studie kring utsläpp av växthusgaser, kostnader och sociala hållbarhetskriterier

Sammanfattning: Recent years increase in biofuel production is contributing to the aim of reducing use of fossil fuels. The increase has, however, led to controversies due to effects on ecological and social aspects of sustainability. In 2010 the EU Renewable Energy Directive (EU-RED) was developed. The EU-RED intends to promote the use of energy from renewable sources, including renewable energy for the transport sector. Based on the EU-RED, Sweden has legislated on sustainability criteria for the biofuel production. Companies can ensure that biofuels meet these sustainability criteria through various verification systems. The aim of this study is to analyse how companies reason when selecting verification systems for biofuels. The aim of this study will be fulfilled by a literature review and a survey. The literature study compares three different verification systems: the national system, International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) and Roundtable of Sustainability Biofuels EU RED (RSB). The study is limited to three different factors that might affect the selection of the verification system: Requirements regarding emissions of greenhouse gases, costs and social sustainability criteria. The survey was sent out to 94 companies operating in sustainable biofuel production and was answered by 32. Survey results indicate that the respondents who use the national system are not willing to pay the extra costs added through the certification. The result also indicates that companies that certify with ISCC have made this choice because it’s compatible with their system supplier. Market benefits are seemingly more important than certification costs or sustainability criteria in the selection of verification systems. For better incentives for companies to embrace CSR initiatives as choosing a voluntary certification scheme, there are some federal actions that can be taken. These are: Support for a more simplified cost overview of the different schemes and improving awareness of the schemes implications amongst companies and consumers.