UPM Biofore Magazine 1-2019

TEXT Saara Töyssy

UPM biofuels has received RSB (The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials) sustainability certification for carinata cultivation in Uruguay. The certification verifies that the production methods meet the sustainability criteria defined in the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive. The certification covers not only CO 2 emissions, but also biodiversity, human rights and environmental and social responsibility throughout the supply chain. In addition, UPM’s feedstocks crude tall oil and carinata oil have been awarded the RSB low ILUC (Indirect land use chance) risk certification. This optional supplement to the RSB certification thoroughly evaluates the indirect emission effects of biofuel production. RSB low ILUC risk certification confirms that the use of these rawmaterials has a very low risk of causing indirect negative effects elsewhere in the world. “Third-party certifications are a testimony to the sustain­ ability of our products throughout their lifecycle. We have a low risk of causing direct or indirect land use changes. The certificate was granted for crude tall oil, which is used as a raw material for the production of renewable UPMBioVerno fuels in the Lappeenranta Biorefinery, and for carinata oil cultivated in Uruguay. The certification affirms that our rawmaterials rank among the most sustainable in the world,” says Liisa Ranta , Manager, Sustainability of UPMBiofuels. Biofuels against climate change Biofuels alone cannot solve the problem of climate change, but they represent a decisive step on the road to carbon neutrality and towards reaching the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Demand for global biofuels is predicted to grow, especially in heavy traffic and sea and air traffic. Reduction of CO 2 emissions requires a combination of improved engine efficiency, electrification of traffic, and a significant increase in the usage of renewable low-emission fuels. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is by far the most important incentive for the use of biofuels. The advantage of high-quality liquid biofuels is that they do not necessitate investment in wholly new vehicles or a new distribution network. Advanced biofuels are a proven solution and can serve as a fast lane to a low-carbon future, as they can be deployed immediately and can significantly reduce both CO 2 and related emissions from transport.  CERTIFIED RESPONSIBILITY

“THE SOIL’S ABILITY to absorb carbon can be improved through continuous cultivation, by sequenced rotation or by turning farmland into forest” notes Dr Calliope Panoutsou. CARINATA IS HARVESTED in November. By then it has grown to a height slightly under two metres.

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