The environmental regulation of biofuels: limits of the meta-standard approach
The promotion of biofuels as a fossil fuel alternative has been a significant aspect of the global quest for solutions to mitigate climate change. However, the quick-fix has proven to be problematic as food security and environmental concerns emerge. To address these concerns, the European Union (EU...
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ftunivhongkonghu:oai:hub.hku.hk:10722/137322 2023-05-15T15:51:54+02:00 The environmental regulation of biofuels: limits of the meta-standard approach Lin, JSW 2011 http://hdl.handle.net/10722/137322 eng eng Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.lexxion.eu/cclr Germany Carbon and Climate Law Review Carbon and Climate Law Review, 2011, v. 5 n. 1, p. 34-43 43 191556 1864-9904 1 34 http://hdl.handle.net/10722/137322 5 Article 2011 ftunivhongkonghu 2023-01-14T15:38:17Z The promotion of biofuels as a fossil fuel alternative has been a significant aspect of the global quest for solutions to mitigate climate change. However, the quick-fix has proven to be problematic as food security and environmental concerns emerge. To address these concerns, the European Union (EU) Renewable Energy Directive contains sustainability criteria that biofuels must fulfill in order to be counted towards attainment of EU or national renewable energy obligations, or to be eligible for financial support. The European Commission (EC) has adopted the meta-standard approach as the compliance mechanism. The meta-standard approach relies heavily on voluntary certification schemes and is an example of regulatory out-sourcing to private actors in European clean development governance. This paper critically examines the limitations of the meta-standard approach, draws comparisons with the Clean Development Mechanism, and highlights some of the fundamental structural issues that may contribute to agents (the certification schemes) acting in rent-seeking ways to the detriment of the principal (the EC). Article in Journal/Newspaper Carbon and Climate Law Review University of Hong Kong: HKU Scholars Hub |
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University of Hong Kong: HKU Scholars Hub |
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ftunivhongkonghu |
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English |
description |
The promotion of biofuels as a fossil fuel alternative has been a significant aspect of the global quest for solutions to mitigate climate change. However, the quick-fix has proven to be problematic as food security and environmental concerns emerge. To address these concerns, the European Union (EU) Renewable Energy Directive contains sustainability criteria that biofuels must fulfill in order to be counted towards attainment of EU or national renewable energy obligations, or to be eligible for financial support. The European Commission (EC) has adopted the meta-standard approach as the compliance mechanism. The meta-standard approach relies heavily on voluntary certification schemes and is an example of regulatory out-sourcing to private actors in European clean development governance. This paper critically examines the limitations of the meta-standard approach, draws comparisons with the Clean Development Mechanism, and highlights some of the fundamental structural issues that may contribute to agents (the certification schemes) acting in rent-seeking ways to the detriment of the principal (the EC). |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Lin, JSW |
spellingShingle |
Lin, JSW The environmental regulation of biofuels: limits of the meta-standard approach |
author_facet |
Lin, JSW |
author_sort |
Lin, JSW |
title |
The environmental regulation of biofuels: limits of the meta-standard approach |
title_short |
The environmental regulation of biofuels: limits of the meta-standard approach |
title_full |
The environmental regulation of biofuels: limits of the meta-standard approach |
title_fullStr |
The environmental regulation of biofuels: limits of the meta-standard approach |
title_full_unstemmed |
The environmental regulation of biofuels: limits of the meta-standard approach |
title_sort |
environmental regulation of biofuels: limits of the meta-standard approach |
publisher |
Lexxion Verlagsgesellschaft mbH. The Journal's web site is located at http://www.lexxion.eu/cclr |
publishDate |
2011 |
url |
http://hdl.handle.net/10722/137322 |
genre |
Carbon and Climate Law Review |
genre_facet |
Carbon and Climate Law Review |
op_relation |
Carbon and Climate Law Review Carbon and Climate Law Review, 2011, v. 5 n. 1, p. 34-43 43 191556 1864-9904 1 34 http://hdl.handle.net/10722/137322 5 |
_version_ |
1766387273572548608 |