In yet another example of Europe getting farther out ahead of the US when it comes to renewable energy. The Dutch are already thinking about sustainable biofuels. They want to make sure that we don’t chop the rain forest down, or starve people in Africa so that the developed world can power their cars.

“We all know that biomass potentially can play an important role in sustainable energy production,” said Environment Minister Jacqueline Cramer. “But the question is: How do you do that in a way that is truly sustainable?”

The scheme makes the Netherlands a front-runner among nations seeking to tackle the new climate change dilemma. Other European countries are working along similar lines and are closely watching the Dutch initiative – the first to reach the level of government consideration.

The Dutch panel, called the Cramer Commission because the environment minister chaired it before being appointed to the Cabinet, has drawn up a framework which companies can use to measure the sustainability of crops used for biofuels.

The framework evaluates emission reduction compared with fossil fuels and whether the crops supplant other land uses such as food production. It also looks at whether the crops reduce biodiversity, damage the environment or use pesticides.

Dutch companies can check some of the criteria, but the government and independent monitoring also will have to ensure they are being met, said Cramer.(via)

Without a system like this in place world wide biofuels will continue to be produced at the expense of habitat and food supplies. The only good biofuel is a sustainable one.

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