The November 2011 edition of AEFJN's Forum for Action is now online. It contains articles on the ethical responsibility of the Church on the climate issue, on the clean up of the Ogoniland oil spills, which will take decades, on the spread of Libyan arms in the Sahel, on the production of medicines in Africa and on the EU's attempt to force African countries to sign EPAs.
The national election campaign officially started the 28th October in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), exactly one month ahead of historic presidential and legislative elections, scheduled for November 28 2011. 41 humanitarian and human rights organizations, among them AEFJN, have expressed concern about the high political tension and deteriorating security situation. They have called upon all Congolese and international actors involved to take urgent measures to prevent electoral violence, better protect civilians and ensure credible, free and fair elections.7 sustainable Schemes for biofuels approved by EC
On 19 July 2011, the Commission has recognised seven voluntary schemes:
- ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification, a German (government financed) scheme covering all types of biofuels)
- Bonsucro EU (Roundtable initiative for sugarcane based biofuels, focus on Brazil)
- RTRS EU RED (Round Table on Responsible Soy EU RED for soy based biofuels, focus on Argentina and Brazil
- RSB EU RED (Roundtable of Sustainable Biofuels EU RED, a Roundtable initiative covering all types of biofuels)
- 2BSvs (Biomass Biofuels voluntary scheme, a French industry scheme covering all types of biofuels)
- RBSA (Abengoa RED Bioenergy Sustainability Assurance, Industry scheme for Abengoa covering their supply chain)
- Greenergy (Greenergy Brazilian Bioethanol verification programme, an industry scheme for Greenergy covering sugar cane ethanol from Brazil).
All schemes are VOLUNTARY schemes. They recieved EC agreement for a period of 5 years. EC may revoke its decision.
The most complete scheme is the RSB EU RED (Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels) hosted by the EPFL because it also addresses social issues and supports rural development and cover all types of biofuels from everywhere. Some principles concerns specifically the Local Food Security, soil, water and Land rights. It represents the consensus of over 120 Organisations.
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