Before the PL 3149/2020 always in parallel with negotiations between producers and mill owners regarding CBios division issues and also the Technical Cooperation Agreement to develop an integrated procedure for Bonsucro and RenovaBio certifications, it becomes urgent for plant owners to explore what the advantages may be arising from the combination of the two certifications.
In this article we will focus, from the Plant's point of view, on the strengths of each certification, and how this union can strengthen what is most positive in each person, in an increasingly integrated world and where ethanol is beginning to become an alternative not only in Brazil, but also important in countries like Mexico, to Thailand, India and Pakistan, between others, who are integrating the Bonsucro system at great speed.
These countries can, in a short space of time, maximize your presence in this market, and are working together with several institutes and institutions, in order to make its participation increasingly important in the alcohol and sugar market, making the integration of more modern and sustainable practices a path of no return for the mill scenario in Brazil.
Bonsucro Certification
Purpose
The main objective is to define a set of principles, criteria and indicators, together with explanatory notes, to assess operator performance in relation to the three pillars of sustainability.
It is intended for:
• Bonsucro members who wish to achieve certification
• Licensed Certification Bodies and auditors when carrying out certification audits
• The wider public of the sugarcane sector and any interested parties.
Scope
It can be applied worldwide to any sugarcane mill and its supply area that wish to sell sugarcane products with the Bonsucro certificate.
Standard Structure: 5 principles and producers need to illustrate compliance with:
• all 16 key indicators more
• a minimum of 80% of all indicators must be satisfied. To be considered satisfied, an indicator that applies to the plant and farm must be met by both entities.
Benefits:
- Enhanced Performance Measurement: Bonsucro certification establishes measurable indicators, allowing plants to measure their performance more accurately. This helps you identify areas for improvement and track progress over time.
- Commitment to Sustainability: Upon obtaining certification, mills demonstrate to their employees and buyers that they take sustainability seriously. This strengthens the company's image and reinforces its commitment to environmentally correct and responsible practices..
- Long Term Savings: Bonsucro certification promotes efficient use of resources, such as energy and raw materials. Furthermore, minimizes losses and waste, resulting in operational savings over time.
- Employee Skills Development: Implementing the Bonsucro Production Standard involves training and knowledge acquisition. Plant employees have the opportunity to learn and apply sustainable practices, which contributes to the development of skills and competencies.
- In short, Bonsucro certification not only validates the plants' sustainable practices, but also offers tangible benefits in terms of efficiency, corporate image and personnel development.
The RenovaBio Certification
Purpose
The main objective of RenovaBio Certification aims to certify biofuel producers in accordance with the high energy efficiency standard, less GHG emissions, expanding the use of renewable fuels in the national energy market, increasing the competitiveness of biofuels and meeting the country's commitment to the Paris Agreement
It is intended for:
• Biofuel producers (and chain of custody importers)
• Fuel dispensers
• Licensed Certification Bodies
Scope
Can be applied to any biofuel producer and its supply area who wish to sell Decarbonization Credit Unit (CBOs).
Standard Structure: number of CBIOs depends on:
• the eligibility fraction
• GHG emissions based on LCA analysis, e
• Volume of biofuel sold to the domestic market
Benefits
- Reducing CO2 Emissions: RenovaBio encourages the use of biofuels, which helps to avoid the emission of more than 600 million tons of CO2 in the atmosphere in the next 10 years old.
- Award for Efficient Ethanol Production: The program rewards efficient ethanol production through the generation of Decarbonization Credits (CBios). These CBios represent the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in production, commercialization and use of biofuels.
- Predictability for the Fuel Market: RenovaBio ensures predictability for the fuel market, inducing energy efficiency gains and emissions reductions. This is fundamental for the sector and for fulfilling Brazil's commitments under the Paris Agreement.
- In short, RenovaBio promotes sustainability, encourages efficient practices and contributes to climate change mitigation.
The first advantages of integration
- Integrated Certification Procedure: Alcohol and sugar plants can follow a single certification procedure that covers both schemes (RenovaBio and Bonsucro). This optimizes audit efforts and reduces administrative and logistical costs.
- Strengthening the Value of Bonsucro Certification: Alignment with a national certification scheme (RenovaBio) significantly strengthens the value of Bonsucro certification in Brazil. This allows plants to demonstrate sustainable practices in line with relevant standards.
- Exchange of Experiences and Integrated Data Analysis: The cooperation agreement between Bonsucro and the National Petroleum Agency, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) favors the mutual exchange of experiences and the integrated analysis of data from both certifications. This collaboration benefits the sector as a whole.
- Promotion of RenovaBio in Other Sugarcane Producing Regions: The partnership also aims to promote the RenovaBio scheme in other sugarcane producing regions that are exploring the creation of similar policies.
- Integration of the Supervision Process and Training Structure: The agreement includes the integration of the supervision process of certification bodies and the training structure for certifiers and producers.
- In short, This integration simplifies the certification process, improves efficiency and strengthens the credibility of sustainable practices in Brazilian alcohol and sugar plants.
A biO3 Consulting
In a world increasingly aware of the importance of environmental preservation, mills and producers face the challenge of balancing economic growth with ecological responsibility. It is in this context that the biO3 Consulting becomes a strategic partner, guiding organizations towards sustainability and obtaining certifications that attest to their practices. Our consultants combine technical knowledge, practical experience and modern tools to help companies navigate the complex regulatory and operational landscape.
We have expertise in Bonsucro and RenovaBio certifications, and we can guide the Plant's process in order to integrate the primary standards of sugarcane producers in order to maximize gains and minimize the transition period between certifications, resulting in the entire production chain benefiting and therefore, more productive and sustainable.
Talk to our consultants.
See a little more in the official documentation:
– Preliminary results on comparative study between Bonsucro & RenovaBio presented – Bonsucro
Discover our publications on the subject:
Importance of RenovaBio – biO3 (bio3consultoria.com.br)
A Review of BonSucro V5.2 – Final Part – biO3 (bio3consultoria.com.br)
Bonsucro and RenovaBio, Producers Unite – biO3 (bio3consultoria.com.br)