Policy Instruments for Good Practices

Most of the good practices that BEFS has compiled present various challenges and there are a number of both economic and non-economic barriers to their implementation. If proper policy instruments and incentives are not in place, the costs of implementing these practices might be too high for producers.

BEFS has indentified a range of policy instruments that can be used to require or promote – either directly or indirectly – good environmental and socio-economic practices in bioenergy feedstock production, and to discourage bad practices.

These instruments can be grouped into four main categories:

• mandates with sustainability requirements,
• national standards for certification,
• financial incentives and
• capacity building.

The viability and effectiveness of these instruments in a certain country will depend on a number of factors, including the financial resources available, and the administrative and enforcement capacity of the government.

• Go to the BEFS policy brief, Policy Instruments to Promote Good Practices in Bioenergy Feedstock Production