Graham Stringer (Labour)

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change what his policy is on the use of imported biomass from areas at risk of (a) degradation of natural or semi-natural ecosystems or habitats, (b) indirect land use change and (c) net biodiversity loss. ( 321487 )

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Mr. Kidney

We will implement the sustainability criteria set out in the Renewable Energy Directive for transport biofuels and bioliquids for heat and electricity generation. We are currently considering the European Commission’s recommendations on sustainability requirements for the use of solid and gaseous biomass sources for heat and electricity. DECC will make an announcement later this month, setting out what actions the Government can now take to introduce sustainability standards for biomass in the UK.

The European Commission is due to report by 31 December 2010 on the impact of indirect land-use change on greenhouse gas emissions and ways to minimise that impact. We are pushing for an early resolution on this within the EU and we will continue to work hard for global sustainability standards.

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