DBC developed Stimulation Program as a framework for activities that support reaching its objectives. The Program runs until 2023 when full certification is scheduled to be achieved.

 

In 2020, DBC commissioned American Forest Foundation (AFF) to proceed with a comprehensive sustainability assurance program. The project will include two concurrent and complementary workstreams:

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1. building tools and technologies to engage small forest land owners in sustainable forest management and growing certification.

2. develop a risk-based approach (RBA) to sustainability risk assessment, verification, and mitigation, following the Dutch “Verification Protocol” to enable supply of sustainable biomass from small land owners.

 

The project builds on the achievements from previous successful DBC projects:

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In 2017, DBC commissioned a detailed data research study on small forest owners in North America. The report can be downloaded here.

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With these results DBC initiated two projects under the Stimulation Program in 2018, led by American Forest Foundation (AFF) and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI). 

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To facilitate the further implementation of the Stimulation Program, DBC commissioned the production of a report seeking clarification on the approvals of existing certification schemes by the Dutch government. The report presents recommendations for actions to be taken by pellet producers and utilities to enable biomass to meet SDE+ requirements. The report can be downloaded here.