Sustainable Shipping Initiative inquiry finds industry concerned about crop-based fuels

In Spain, the findings of an inquiry commissioned by the Sustainable Shipping Initiative, reflecting a stakeholder consultation process facilitated by SSI member Forum for the Future to explore the potential role (if any) of biofuels in the decarbonization of shipping found that the significant majority of the stakeholders consulted have a clear preference for any biofuels to be sourced from municipal, agricultural and/or forestry waste streams rather than purpose-grown crops. However, this preference for residues and waste streams was not unanimous: a number of stakeholders proposed that purpose-grown crop feedstocks sourced within regions with strong land governance in addition to clear carbon and biodiversity credentials would be viable to produce biofuels.

that the significant majority of the stakeholders consulted have a clear preference for any biofuels to be sourced from municipal, agricultural and/or forestry waste streams rather than purpose-grown crops. However, this preference for residues and waste streams was not unanimous: a number of stakeholders proposed that purpose-grown crop feedstocks sourced within regions with strong land governance in addition to clear carbon and biodiversity credentials would be viable to produce biofuels.

Forum for the Future conducted the desktop literature review as well as facilitated stakeholder consultations, and put forward a draft of preliminary key findings on which the conclusions were drawn by the SSI membership.

The process was guided by SSI’s Decarbonization Working Group, whose members played an integral role throughout the consultations. It also benefited from the active engagement and contributions from speakers and participants of the seminars, webinar and Climate Week NYC event.