Sustainable
biomass feedstock is the key to sustainable biofuels. We believe in the notion
that the impact of bioenergy on social and environmental issues may be positive
or negative depending on local conditions and the design and implementation of
specific projects. That means we cannot say a type of feedstock is always
sustainable, or unsustainable, but that it depends on how and where the
feedstock is produced.
We’re also
realistic. Solaris is a crop and crops needs some level of irrigation,
fertilizer, pesticides and other inputs. Our agricultural protocols are
optimized between output, cost and ecological impacts. Furthermore, we are
continuously testing out new methods to improve the impact of our crop.
Socio-economic
and environmental benefits of Solaris:
- Increased land productivity (additional biomass production and increased land use efficiency)
- Development rural economies and job creation
- Education and enablement of regional communities
- Agro innovation & knowledge transfer
- Shift from fossil to renewable energy sources (e.g. diversification energy sources, energy security)
- Displacement/substitution of less appealing industries (e.g. traditional tobacco industry)
- Greenhouse gas reductions
From seed to
fuel Solaris based jet fuel will reach up to 70% CO2 reduction compared to
fossil jet fuel.
Roundtable of Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB)
From the start
Project Solaris has had the support from the Roundtable on Sustainable
Biomaterials. Since the 1st of September 2015 we are proud to be certified by
RSB and will uphold their standards throughout the scaling of Solaris. The
global aviation industry, including Boeing and South African Airways are committed
to using only RSB-certified biofuels.
Sustainability board SkyNRG
SkyNRG has
installed an independent Sustainability Board, consisting of the Dutch wing of
the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-NL), Solidaridad, and the Copernicus
Institute of the University of Utrecht. The Board advices SkyNRG on all aspects
related to the impacts sustainability can have on the business (feedstock,
policy implications, media exposure, managing stakeholders etc.). The
Sustainability Board will also be involved in the further assessment of the
sustainability of Solaris as an energy crop.