Bioenergy Criteria Background document

The Bioenergy Criteria Background document outlines the framework for certifying bioenergy projects as climate-aligned. It establishes a temporal declining trajectory for life-cycle GHG emissions, aiming for near-zero emissions by 2050. The document defines eligible biomass feedstocks—categorized into agricultural, forestry, processing waste, and aquatic biomass—and sets strict sustainability requirements to prevent negative impacts on biodiversity, food security, and carbon stocks. Special emphasis is placed on mitigating methane emissions in the biogas and biomethane value chain through the adoption of 'best-practice' scenarios and leak detection and repair (LDAR) programs. Additionally, it provides a framework for assessing the adaptation and resilience of bioenergy assets against climate-related hazards.

• The criteria establish a temporal declining trajectory for life-cycle GHG emissions for bioenergy products, with the goal of reaching emissions 'Close to 0' or 'Close to 100' percent reduction by 2050 to align with the Paris Agreement.
• To determine maximum allowable LCA GHG emissions, the framework uses a fossil baseline (gCO2e/MJ) multiplied by the required minimum percentage of emissions reduction. For example, the 2025 minimum reduction for road transport is 50%, resulting in a threshold of 47 gCO2e/MJ.
• The criteria restrict eligible woody biomass to 'waste woody biomass' only, specifically excluding 'stemwood' (the main stem of a tree merchantable as sawtimber) to adhere to the Cascading Principles for the optimal use of wood.
• For agricultural biomass, the criteria implement a risk-based approach to manage indirect land-use change (iLUC), allowing projects to be qualified as low iLUC risk if they use a 'Productive Intensification System' recognized by authorities, provided it was implemented within the last 20 years and does not divert food supplies.
• Food security mitigation measures are mandatory for bioenergy projects in countries with a Global Hunger Index (GHI) score greater than 20, or those with a GHI between 10-20 and a prevalence of undernourishment (PoU) greater than 5%.
• The document introduces specific methane emission default values for the biogas and biomethane value chain, distinguishing between 'Standard' and 'Best Practice' scenarios to encourage the adoption of mitigation technologies.
• Best practices for methane reduction in biogas plants include the implementation of a certified voluntary Leakage, Detection and Repair (LDAR) programme, the use of automatically activated flares, and maintaining digestate in airtight environments for at least 50 days.
• Aquatic biomass, including microalgae, cyanobacteria, and macroalgae, is included as an eligible feedstock due to its energy potential and ability to be cultivated in diverse environments.
• Adaptation and Resilience (A&R) criteria require entities to assess climate hazards over the typical asset lifetime of 30 years and implement monitoring and evaluation plans to manage identified risks.

APA

Climate Bonds Initiative (n.d.). Bioenergy Criteria Background document. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Bioenergy-Background-document-1.pdf

Chicago

Climate Bonds Initiative. Bioenergy Criteria Background document. n.d. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Bioenergy-Background-document-1.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Climate Bonds Initiative |title=Bioenergy Criteria Background document |url=https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Bioenergy-Background-document-1.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{climatebondsinitiativendbioenergy, author = {{Climate Bonds Initiative}}, title = {{Bioenergy Criteria Background document}}, institution = {Climate Bonds Initiative}, url = {https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Bioenergy-Background-document-1.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }