A rights-based food security principle for biomass sustainability standards and certification systems

With the shift from petroleum-based to biomass-based economies, global biomass demand and trade is growing. This trend could become a threat to food security. Though rising concerns about sustainability aspects have led to the development of voluntary certification standards to ensure that biomass is sustainably produced, food security aspects are hardly addressed as practical criteria and indicators lack. The research objective of this working paper is to identify how the Human Right to adequate Food (RtaF), which is applicable in over 100 countries, can be ensured in local biomass production and in certification systems in food insecure regions. We aim to first develop a suitable conceptual framework to integrate the RtaF in biomass production, processing and trade and derive guidance for the choice of the criteria. Second, we identify appropriate criteria to ensure that the RtaF is not violated by certified biomass operators based on a comprehensive literature review, stakeholder workshops and expert interviews with certification bodies, standard initiatives, NGOs, ministries, scientists and enterprises. The conceptual framework is based on the UN “Voluntary Guidelines to Support the Progressive Realization of the RtaF in the Context of National Food Security” and the four dimensions of food security. Based on this framework, we developed the rights-based food security principle. To ensure that the RtaF is not adversely affected by certified biomass production and trade, we propose 45 criteria, classified in 17 themes which are derived from the voluntary guidelines. The suggested criteria are applicable to all biomass types and uses and serve as a best-practice set to complement existing sustainability standards for biomass

Food Security Standard (FSS) National Food Security Assessment (NaFSA) tool 1.1

The Food Security Standard (FSS) provides practicable and measurable criteria and tools to ensure the Right to Food on sustainably certified agricultural production sites. The National Food Security Assessment (NaFSA) tool is part of the toolbox of the FSS. The purpose of the NaFSA tool is to identify potential critical themes regarding food security and the realization of the Right to Food at national level that are relevant for an audit that includes the FSS. Prior to the audit, the auditor has to familiarize him-/herself with the food security situation and the related overall framework conditions in the audit country and become more familiar with the manifold aspects of food security and the Right to Food. The NaFSA tool consists of 8 categories relevant for food security and the Right to adequate Food with a total of 27 indicators