This page provides links to practical tools and databases supporting the implementation of the Better Biomass sustainability and chain-of-custody requirements.
GHG CALCULATION BIOFUELS
BioGrace I
BioGrace I is a comprehensive, user-friendly greenhouse gas (GHG) calculation tool based on Excel with standard values, detailed calculation rules and a user manual. Visit the BioGrace I website.
GHG CALCULATION ELECTRICITY, HEAT AND COOLING
BioGrace II
BioGrace II aims to harmonise calculations of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for electricity, heat and cooling from biomass throughout the European Union. Visit the BioGrace II website.
INDIRECT LAND-USE CHANGE (ILUC) LOW RISK
LIIB certification module
The Low Indirect Impact Biofuel (LIIB) certification module presents a practical and cost-effective methodology for companies, policy makers and certification schemes that wish to stimulate biofuel production with a low ILUC risk. The methodology contains detailed ILUC mitigation approaches for four different solution types field-tested and audited in international pilots. The solution types are biomass production on unused land, increased yield increase, integration of biofuel and other agricultural production, and biofuel production from wastes and residues. Visit the LIIB certification module website.
BIODIVERSITY HOTSPOTS
Conservation International – Biodiversity Hotspots
Around the world, 35 areas qualify as hotspots. They represent just 2.3% of Earth’s land surface, but they support more than half of the world’s plant species as endemics — i.e., species found no place else — and nearly 43% of bird, mammal, reptile and amphibian species as endemics. Visit the Biodiversity Hotspots website.
BIRD AND BIODIVERSITY AREAS
BirdLife Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas
The function of the BirdLife Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) Programme is to identify, protect and manage a network of sites that are significant for the long-term viability of naturally occurring bird populations, across the geographical range of those bird species for which a site-based approach is appropriate. Visit the Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas website.
ECOREGIONS
List of ecoregions
The Global Ecoregions is a science-based global ranking of the Earth’s most biologically outstanding terrestrial, freshwater and marine habitats. It provides a critical blueprint for biodiversity conservation at a global scale. Visit the List of ecoregions website.
HIGH CONSERVATION VALUES AREAS
HCV Resource Network
The HCV Resource Network strives to identify, maintain and enhance critically important ecological, social and cultural values, by bringing together and helping stakeholders to consistently use the High Conservation Value approach. Visit the HCV Resource Network website.
INTEGRATED BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT
IBAT for Business
The Integrated Biodiversity Assessment Tool (IBAT) is the gateway to credible information and tools that are needed to make informed decisions about biodiversity risk and to report upon environmental performance. Users have to subscribe for accessing the tool. Visit the IBAT for Business website.
INVASIVE SPECIES
Global Invasive Species Database
The Global Invasive Species Database (GISD) is a free, online searchable source of information about alien and invasive species that negatively impact biodiversity. The GISD aims to increase public awareness about invasive species and to facilitate effective prevention and management activities by disseminating specialist’s knowledge and experience to a broad global audience. It focuses on invasive alien species that threaten native biodiversity and natural areas and covers all taxonomic groups from micro-organisms to animals and plants. Visit the Global Invasive Species Database website.
PROTECTED AREAS
World Database on Protected Areas
The World Database on Protected Areas is a foundation dataset for conservation decision making. It contains crucial information from national governments, non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, international biodiversity convention secretariats and many others. It is used for ecological gap analysis, environmental impact analysis and is increasingly used for private sector decision-making. Visit the World Database on Protected Areas website.
IMPACT OF BIOENERGY ON SOIL QUALITY
BioESoil
The tool BioESoil has been developed by Wageningen Environmental Research (Alterra) and CLM to assess the impacts of bio-energy on soil quality. It takes into account nutrient losses during the bio-energy production process, potential nutrient return with bio-energy production residues and effects on soil organic matter. The tool was developed to have an easy-to-use interface and suits both large and small scale bioenergy users and producers. Visit the BioESoil website.
WATER AVAILABILITY
Water footprint
The Water Footprint Network was founded to solve the world’s water crises by advancing fair and smart water use. They are a dynamic, global network that drives innovation and inspires the changes everyone has to make to share fresh water fairly amongst all people to sustain thriving communities and nature’s diversity. Visit the Water Footprint Network website.
CULTURAL HERITAGE
World heritage list
The global strategy for a representative, balanced and credible world heritage list was launched by the World Heritage Committee. Its aim is to ensure that the List reflects the world’s cultural and natural diversity of outstanding universal value. Visit the World heritage list website.