The Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB)

In 2025, we will continue RSB’s successful 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐞 (𝐌𝐒𝐄𝐏) to support the participation of members of #civilsociety and #academia within RSB’s #multistakeholder community. The 𝐌𝐒𝐄𝐏 guarantees that 15% of our annual membership dues income supports civil society and academic organisations – particularly those in the Global South – to access RSB events and learning opportunities, and to continue to contribute to the development of our best-in-class sustainability framework. In addition, the RSB Academy’s suite of e-learning courses is free to access for RSB members representing civil society and academia. In 2024, the 𝐌𝐒𝐄𝐏 funded 35 individuals representing civil society and academia attended 3 regional RSB events – the RSB Innovations Meeting in Cincinnati, the RSB Transition Leaders’ Dinner in Singapore, and the Global Bioeconomy Summit in Nairobi – plus the RSB Annual Conference. This year, we aim to see the programme continue to support meaningful engagement and capacity building at multiple RSB events, as well as participation in RSB’s multi stakeholder decision making processes.  Read more about the 𝐌𝐒𝐄𝐏: https://lnkd.in/dcPFGup4 Learn more about eligibility and events this year for the 𝐌𝐒𝐄𝐏: https://lnkd.in/dHU9CFV8

Mark your calendars for the 𝐑𝐒𝐁 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 on 20-21 May, in partnership with Alaska Airlines & Boeing, where we’ll focus on the leadership, impact & resilience required to shape the future of sustainable aviation. Across two days of plenary and workshop sessions in #Seattle, #Washington (#USA), industry leaders, innovators, NGO thought leaders and policymakers will gather to address the critical challenges and opportunities shaping the aviation sector. This third edition of the 𝐑𝐒𝐁 𝐈𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 will focus on the aviation sector and highlight the significant potential for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) to drive economic resilience, deliver positive impacts for rural livelihoods, and secure long-term #decarbonization and further social and environmental benefits. We will explore: • 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴: Understand evolving US aviation and energy policies and their implications for SAF development. • 𝘌𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘤 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦: Explore how SAF development can drive economic growth and innovation, and create jobs. • 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯: Dive into how certification creates transparent, trusted supply chains that help to future-proof the viability of SAF supply. • 𝘚𝘱𝘰𝘵𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘰𝘯 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦: Discuss strategies to demonstrate the competitiveness of sustainable solutions. • 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘴: Uncover opportunities for partnerships in overcoming sector-specific obstacles and amplifying collective impact. • 𝘏𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮: Achieve measurable progress and demonstrate impact in key climate, social and environmental metrics through innovative frameworks such as book and claim. Together, we’ll focus on practical solutions that deliver measurable results, drive economic resilience, and ensure the long-term viability of the aviation sector. 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐞𝐝 – 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐬𝐨𝐨𝐧. 📩 For any enquiries, please feel free to contact RSB’s Membership & Events Manager, Aléz Odendaal 📩

RSB’s membership platforms and initiatives are more than discussion forums – they bring together industry, civil society, and experts to develop independent sustainability guidance, interpret regulations and legislations, refine standards, and shape market frameworks that support a thriving, sustainable bioeconomy. 𝐈𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒, 𝐑𝐒𝐁 𝐡𝐨𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝟑𝟎 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬, 𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐚 𝟏,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟑𝟑 𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. Currently, RSB hosts 7 key platforms and initiatives, including: • 𝘙𝘚𝘉 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘈𝘷𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘍𝘶𝘦𝘭 (𝘚𝘈𝘍) 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘺 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮   • 𝘙𝘚𝘉 𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 & 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮   • 𝘙𝘚𝘉 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘴𝘴 𝘗𝘰𝘭𝘪𝘤𝘺 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 (𝘚𝘉𝘗𝘗)   • 𝘙𝘚𝘉 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳-𝘵𝘰-𝘟 (𝘗𝘵𝘟) 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮   • 𝘙𝘚𝘉 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘍𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮   • 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘈𝘪𝘳𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮   • 𝘙𝘚𝘉 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘴 𝘞𝘰𝘳𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱 Learn more about RSB’s Platforms & Initiatives here: https://lnkd.in/dgku3AQN Become an RSB members today: https://lnkd.in/dfzfXaVT

RSB is pleased to announce the release of the latest version (Version 4.0) of the 𝐑𝐒𝐁 𝐁𝐨𝐨𝐤 & 𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐥, introducing updates to drive clarity, flexibility and integrity in sustainable fuel transactions in #aviation and #shipping. 𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐮𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧: • 𝘌𝘯𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵 𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘦𝘴: New definitions and structure for account roles in the RSB Registry, including suppliers, intermediaries, transport service providers, logistics service providers, corporate end-users, and facilitators to improve registry usability and market participation. • 𝘐𝘯𝘤𝘭𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘰-𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘶𝘦𝘭𝘴: Updates to Section 2.4.1 ensure that co-processed fuels can now be registered in the system, providing new opportunities for expanding sustainable fuel uptake. • 𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘯𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺: Enhancements in Sections 2.6 – 2.8 introduce a time limit for Book & Claim Unit (BCU) registration, ensuring real-time traceability. • 𝘌𝘯𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘯 𝘳𝘦𝘨𝘶𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘴: The manual now provides explicit guidance on managing fuel transitions from the Union Database for Biofuels and other systems used for regulatory compliance, strengthening credibility and safeguarding against double counting. • 𝘍𝘭𝘦𝘹𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘤𝘰𝘱𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴: Updates to Section 4 introduce Flexible Scope Retirement, allowing multiple claimants of the same Book and Claim Units to issue retirement statements at different times. • 𝘙𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘥𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢: Section 7 refines the requirements for additionality, ensuring that Book & Claim transactions genuinely drive new investment in sustainable fuels rather than displacing existing compliance-driven supply. Developed through extensive multi-stakeholder consultation with 154 RSB Book & Claim Platform participants representing 81 organisations, the adoption of Version 4.0 demonstrates how the RSB Book & Claim System continues to be recognised as a leading approach for tracking and claiming #sustainability attributes of bio-based fuels, aligning with international best practices to ensure credibility and impact. Read the RSB Book & Claim Manual (Version 4.0) here: https://lnkd.in/eyDR9H5k Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/eah2zhgd

RSB invites all members and stakeholders to take full advantage of the available #elearning courses on the RSB Academy's #onlinelearning platform. Currently, there are 7 available e-learning courses – each one fully self-paced and self-directed, and each one priced competitively.  𝐑𝐒𝐁 𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝟓𝟎% 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭. The available courses are: • Introduction to RSB  • RSB Certification Overview  • RSB Certification Process • RSB Principles & Criteria  • Chain of Custody  • Greenhouse Gas Methodology  • RSB Global Fuels Certification Since its introduction two months ago, 𝟗𝟕 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐥𝐲 𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧𝐞𝐝 𝐮𝐩, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝟔𝟑 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 – reflecting a keen interest and uptake, and demonstrating a strong commitment of the various stakeholders in advancing their expertise in sustainability certification. So, whether you are a sustainability professional, auditor, industry leader, or a newcomer to the field, the RSB Academy’s online learning platform offers essential training to enhance your expertise in #sustainability #certification. Explore the courses here: https://lnkd.in/dJq-hHCd

Will you be joining RSB’s Executive Director Elena Schmidt at the Sustainable Aviation Futures #MENA Conference on 10-12 February in #AbuDhabi? 𝟏𝟎 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 Elena will be speaking on the panel "𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘈𝘳𝘦 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘞𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦? 𝘙𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘍𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘬 𝘈𝘷𝘢𝘪𝘭𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘢" – moderated by Rose Oates (Renewable Fuels Associate for Bloomberg), along with Glaucia Souza (Full Professor at the Institute of Chemistry, USP - Universidade de São Paulo) and Haythem Riahi, PhD, MBA, CEO of Circa Biotech) – to explore the critical role of sustainably sourcing feedstocks in scaling sustainable aviation fuels (#SAF). 𝟏𝟏 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 Elena will lead a dynamic discussion with Shannon Scott (Vice President of Sustainability and Environment, Emirates) and Nikola Xing (Head of Climate Action, Cathay Pacific) – moderating the "𝘉𝘰𝘰𝘬 & 𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘪𝘮 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘜𝘱" panel on how this innovative chain-of-custody solution will accelerate #SAF adoption. 𝟏𝟐 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 Finally, Elena will participate in the 𝘎𝘭𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘭 𝘚𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘈𝘷𝘪𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬𝘦𝘵𝘴 global forum – a first-of-its-kind event, created by the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) with International Civil Aviation Organization’s and Sustainable Aviation Futures’ support as a global showcase event to scale aviation decarbonisation and #SAF production worldwide. If you’re around, reach out to us – let’s connect! RSB is proud to be a supporting partner of the Sustainable Aviation Futures #MENA Conference! Learn more about the event here: https://lnkd.in/eyfq_2rJ

Following last year’s approval of the 𝐑𝐒𝐁 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐞𝐬 for a pilot period, RSB is now seeking forward-thinking companies to take part in piloting this innovative framework.  Forestry residues, if harvested through unsustainable practices, can lead to a host of environmental challenges. To ensure RSB-certified companies operate at the highest levels of sustainability, the 𝐑𝐒𝐁 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐮𝐞𝐬 was developed to establish a clear framework for the responsible harvesting of forestry residues.  As such, the pilot period for the implementation of this guidance document will allow organisations to contribute directly to shaping #sustainable #forestry practices globally while gaining access to RSB’s robust #certification system, technical expertise, and global recognition as a #sustainability leader. To express your interest or learn more about participating in the pilot phase, please contact us at certification@rsb.org by 𝟐𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓. For more, read here: https://lnkd.in/dMufJpqC

Last year, one day before the RSB Annual Conference, we were lucky enough to add one more to RSB's ever-growing team of technical experts. Based in Spain, Karin Meisterl is one of RSB's new Sustainability Managers, with a strong foundation in ecosystem functioning and environmental management. Welcome to the team, Karin! Read more about Karin here: https://lnkd.in/dD6R_d9e

🇪🇺 ⛽ RSB is proud to announce that the European Commission has granted a positive technical assessment for expanding the 𝐑𝐒𝐁 𝐄𝐔 𝐑𝐄𝐃 𝐅𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐬 𝐂𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞 to include #coprocessing under RED II 🇪🇺 ⛽ The inclusion of co-processed fuels within RSB’s #certification scope, in line with RED II and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1640, reflects RSB’s ability to address complex regulatory requirements with precision. By leveraging RSB’s rigorous standards, stakeholders can confidently adopt co-processing technologies, meet regulatory demands, and contribute meaningfully to advancing a sustainable bioeconomy: refiners will be able to demonstrate compliance with RED II and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2023/1640; producers will be able to access markets requiring renewable energy quotas; and industry players will be to attract further investment by demonstrating alignment with EU #sustainability criteria. As we look ahead, RSB’s certification work will continue to set the highest of sustainability standards, ensuring that #bioeconomy stakeholders stay ahead of evolving regulatory frameworks – and through proactive engagement with our members and global policymakers – remain at the forefront of driving a sustainable bio-based and circular economy. Any Participating Operator that is interested in certifying co-processing materials are invited to reach out RSB's certification team: certification[@]rsb[.]org Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dfbuun4j

In the complex landscape of #sustainability #certification, assurance hinges on the integrity and effectiveness of oversight. That’s SAJOMA Climate Technical Consulting comes in, RSB's technical Oversight Body, providing an impartial layer of scrutiny and integrity to RSB certification. The integration of Sajoma as RSB’s technical Oversight Body exemplifies best practices in assurance, combining rigorous oversight with adaptive learning. This unique approach strengthens RSB’s position as a leader in sustainability certification, ensuring its systems meet the highest standards of credibility, transparency, and technical excellence. As RSB and Sajoma’s collaborative efforts grow, so too will our innovation and resilience in certification systems. Together, we are well-equipped to address emerging challenges, set new benchmarks for technical oversight, and further advance the sustainability goals that lie at the heart of our shared mission. Read here for more info: https://lnkd.in/d_YJAHQv