Terms of reference for Carbon and Sustainability reporting advisory groups
1. Introduction
The Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) will require obligated companies and other companies supplying biofuels earning RTF certificates to report on the greenhouse gas (GHG) savings and sustainability (environmental and social impacts) of the renewable transport fuels (RTFs) they source. This paper describes the proposed approach to develop and roll out carbon and sustainability reporting guidance.
2. Aim
To encourage the supply of biofuels from sustainable sources that will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
3. Objectives of the projects
- To develop a practical methodology for the quantification of greenhouse gas savings of biofuels
- To develop technical guidance to enable Obligated Companies to apply the methodology effectively
- To develop practical guidance on environmental and social reporting of biofuels being supplied to the UK market
- To test the proposed methodology with biofuel suppliers to refine the approach
4. Governance
The Management Structure for the development of Carbon and Sustainability Reporting is shown below.
5. Steering Group
The establishment and operation of the carbon and sustainability reporting will be overseen by a Steering Group comprising:
- DFT - Rupert Furness and Lola Fadina
- DEFRA - Sue Finlay
- LowCVP Secretariat - Greg Archer and Jessica Chalmers
- RTFO Administrator
The Steering Group will be responsible for:
- Appointment of consultants to deliver carbon and sustainability reporting methodology and guidance
- Appointment of two Advisory Groups to peer review work undertaken by each consultant
- Integration of the carbon methodology and sustainability reporting contracts
- Management of the contract delivery including progress against milestones
- Budgets
- Final signing off of the methodology and any guidance
- Interface to the RTFO Board.
Initially the Steering Committee will meet monthly. Once Start-up activities are complete it is anticipated that the Committee will meet every two-months.
6. Advisory Groups
Two Advisory Groups will oversee the technical development of the guidance and peer review work undertaken by the counterpart consultants undertaking the Contract Delivery.
The Advisory Groups will contain approximately equal numbers of representatives from each stakeholder group, in addition to known experts.
The Carbon Certification Advisory Group
The first meeting of the Group will take place Friday 29th September 2006.
The membership will comprise:
Clare Wenner - REA
Ian Waller - Five Bar Gate
Jean-Francios Larive - Concawe
Mairi Black - HGCA
Malcolm Fergson - IEEP
Malcolm Watson - UKPIA
Elizabeth Guttenstein - WWF International
Tamara Earley - Greenergy
The Sustainability Reporting Advisory Group
The first meeting of the Group will take place on Wednesday 11th October 2006.
The membership will comprise:
Sean Sutcliffe - Biofuels Corporation
Jeremy Woods - Imperial College
Heli Salmenpohja - Neste Oil
David Proudley - NFU
Harry Huyton - RSPB
John Neeft - Senter Novem
Paul Jefferiss - BP
Malcolm Watson - UKPIA
Graham Hilton - Wessex Biofuels & EIC
Robert Bailey - Oxfam UK
Jeremy Doyle - DFID
Advisory Group members are encouraged to seek expert input from the stakeholder group they represent.
Consultation with wider stakeholders will take place through periodic meetings for example for example through the LowCVP Fuels Working Group Meetings (October 06, December 06, February 07, May 07) and those of principal trade organisations (e.g., REA, EIC, UKPIA, NFU, AUKOI). A consultation exercise will also take place in parallel with the piloting exercise in Spring 07.
It is proposed that each Advisory Group will meet every second month. Joint meetings between each Advisory Group and the Steering Group will be held in October 2006 and July 2007 at project commencement; and to discuss the outcomes of the piloting and consultation exercises, respectively.
The Client Project Manager will chair Advisory Group meetings and will report back findings and views of members to the Steering Group.
In the event of disagreement within the Technical Advisory Committee concerning the proposed approach the Steering Group, through the Client Project Manager, will instruct the consultant how to proceed.
7. Contract Delivery
The consultant for each contract has been appointed through a competitive tendering process.
7.1 Carbon Certification Contract
E4Tech are responsible for producing the carbon certification methodology including the provision of detailed technical assistance as required and providing periodic updates to guidance.
Contact Details:
Philip Watson (Project Manager)
E4Tech (UK) Ltd
83 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0HW
Email: philip.watson@e4tech.com
Tel: +44 (0) 20 3008 6142
It is proposed that E4Tech will meet every second month with either the Steering Group - to report on progress; or Advisory Group - to discuss details of the methodology. They will attend the first meeting of the Carbon Certification Advisory Group on Friday 29th September.
7.2 Sustainability Reporting Guidance Contract
Ecofys are responsible for producing the sustainability reporting criteria and guidance including the provision of detailed technical assistance as required and providing periodic updates to guidance.
Contact Details:
Eric van den Heuvel (Project Manager)
Ecofys BV
Kanaalweg 16-G
P.O.Box 8408
NL-3503 RK Utrecht
Email: evandenheuvel@ecofys.nl
Tel: +31 (0) 30 280 78 51
It is proposed that the Ecofys will meet every second month with either the Steering Group - to report on progress; or Advisory Group - to discuss details of the guidance. They will attend the first meeting of the Sustainability Reporting Advisory Group on Wednesday October 11th.
The consultants for both contracts will be expected to deliver the following activities in the timeline indicated below. A more detailed approach is included in Annex A.
|
Stage |
Dates |
Principal Activities |
|
1. Set-up |
July 06 - Sept 06 |
Appoint consultants, Project Manager & Advisory Group Members |
|
2. Research |
October 06 -December 06 |
Preparation of report describing, reporting criteria, frequency, assurance systems etc. |
|
3. Prep Tech Guidance |
January 07 - March 07 |
Development of 1st and 2nd drafts of Guidance |
|
4. Pilot & formal consultation |
April 07 -July 07 |
Pilot and consult on draft Guidance |
|
5. Issue TG |
September 07 |
SoS Issues Guidance |
|
6. Roll-out |
September 07 - Dec 07 |
Roll-out to Obligated Companies |
|
7. Pre-commencement |
Jan 08 - Mar 08 |
Dry runs for reporting companies |
|
8. Launch |
15 April 08 |
Scheme Commences |
It is proposed that the ownership of the Methodology and Guidance will be held by the RTFO Administrator.
October 2006.
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