Environmental and Social Sustainability (E&SS)- S11

1. Environmental and Social Sustainability (E&SS)- S11 Objective: Promote E&SS in Biofuel Industries Key Environmental Issues: Deforestation & Land Degradation; Protection of Biodiversity & Water Resources; Air/Soil Pollution; Reduction of GHG emissions; Impacts on Human Health; etc Key Social issues: Poverty Reduction & Rural Development; Land Ownership and Land Tenure; Food Security; Employment/Labor/Incomes; Gender Equity, etc. Biofuel Industry to establish E&SS Policies, Standards and Guidelines: Recognize local, national and regional applications (i.e. small vs large-scale). E&SS Guidelines to be based on life cycle assessment; include all stakeholders’ views; and address regional/sub-regional climatic and agro-zone differences. UNIDO/UNEP/FAO/AfdB to lead the process; first commission a comprehensive study on current situation, options available for types of feedstock, technology, end-use application; and related E&S Impacts and Mitigations. Benefit from Int’l Certification scheme experience in agr&forestry sectors (e.g. Brazil’s “Social Fuel”). Consider cost implications to biofuel growers. African IGO should play an active role during negotiations to positively influence new Int’l Environmental, Social, Health and Safety Certification Systems. AU/UNECA to provide political leadership to ensure harmonization at Continent Level.