GCEH first in North America to receive RSB certification

SCS Global Services announced that it has issued Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels certification to Global Clean Energy Holdings, a California-based producer of nonfood-based biofuels, biomass and renewable chemical feedstocks. They are the first North American company to achieve RSB certification.

“We're happy to welcome GCEH under the RSB umbrella,” said Michael Keyes, senior agriculture and natural resources specialist for SCS. “GCEH is a model for how biofuels can be produced sustainably and contribute to reducing the carbon intensity of our fuels, while providing concrete contributions to communities and the environment.”

RSB is the most stringent of all consensus standards for sustainable biofuel production, requiring high levels of compliance with environmental and social criteria. SCS evaluated GCEH against RSB’s principles and criteria for agricultural sustainability, which include strict requirements to ensure social and environmental sustainability. 

Jatropha curcas is native to the Americas and can be grown on land unsuitable for food crops. The plant produces an oil-rich seed best suited for use in high-quality biofuels and oleochemicals. Located in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, GCEH’s Jatropha plantations are exclusively rain fed. All properties utilize fallow land unsuitable for subsistence or other commercial applications, such as former cattle ranches. In order to protect local plant species and wildlife, the company sets aside over 10 percent of its land to create conservation areas and buffer zones. GCEH also offers work and training initiatives, provides an infirmary for its employees, and sponsors a daily hot breakfast program for local school children.

“The certification process included a very comprehensive review of all our operations,” said Noah Verleun, sustainability and regulatory affairs manager at GCEH. “We're proud to report that we only had to institute minor operational adjustments to our already strong internal processes to qualify for the comprehensive RSB sustainability certification.”

SCS Global Services (formerly Scientific Certification Systems) has been providing global leadership in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, auditing, testing, and standards development for nearly 30 years. Our programs span a wide cross-section of industries, recognizing achievements in green building, product manufacturing, food and agriculture, forestry, retail and more. We provide accredited services under a wide range of internationally recognized certification programs. SCS is a chartered benefit corporation and Certified B Corp., reflecting our commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices.

Global Clean Energy Holdings Inc. is an emerging renewable energy company focused on the production of nonfood-based feedstocks used for the production of biofuels, biomass and renewable chemicals

The RSB certification system is approved by the European Commission, as proof of compliance with the Renewable Energy Directive or RED (2009/28/EC). The RSB global sustainability standard represents a consensus of more than 120 organizations including farmers, fuel refiners, regulators and NGOs, and is intended to ensure the sustainability of biofuels production practices while streamlining compliance for industry.