The Brazilian sugarcane ethanol industry's approach to certification

The Brazilian sugarcane industry is well positioned to comply with sustainability criteria being defined in the EU and the supply market with proven sustainable fuel ethanol. A number of measures already in place in Brazil ensure minimum required savings in greenhouse gas emissions and observance of land use restrictions. Initiatives such as the Green Protocol in the State of Sao Paulo, the UNICA-FERAESP protocol and the RenovAcao program include social considerations and are vital for the Brazilian sugarcane industry to demonstrate the sustainability of its production. The national program AgroEcological Zoning for Sugarcane, introduced by the federal government, ensures land use restrictions are applied well beyond EU requirements. The proliferation of sustainability schemes is counterproductive insofar it discourages investments in developing countries, with negative consequences for early implementers of criteria of the Renewable Energy Sources Directive.