Meo Carbon Solutions - Latest insights from our business activities

GREMCA Achieves the First Food Security Standard Certification Under ISCC

GREMCA Agricultura y Energía Sostenible S.A. achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first Food Security Standard certified company under the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification's EU and PLUS schemes using the Food Security Add-on.

HORTICERT is an international certification system for peat substitutes that aims to promote ecological, social and economic sustainability along the entire supply chain.

MCS was partner in the DEMO-SPK project by the German Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure (BMVI). It successfully demonstrated the use of renewable jet fuel in the general fuel supply infrastructure.

BioReCer Announces Results from Spanish Case Study on Fishing Sector

Meo Carbon Solutions and its BioReCer project consortium partners announced the results of the Spanish case study from the fishing sector.

The Spanish case study determined that „fertilisers/soils recovery“ is the most important alternative use for secondary feedstocks from the fishing sector.

These results are based on a comprehensive survey that considered economic, environmental, social, technological, legislative and traceability criteria. The Spanish stakeholders ranked the four competing alternatives as follows:

Fertilisers/soils recovery (nutrients like ammonia phosphate & biochar)
Nutraceutical bio-based industries (Peptides or Omega3)
Chemical bio-based industries (volatile fatty acids, peptides, Omega3 & collagen)
Pharmaceutical bio-based industries (bioactive peptides for antihypertensive or anticancer purposes & compounds extracted from macroalgae)

BioReCer stakeholders can share feedback at biorecer.eu/.

Results from the other case studies in forestry and pulp industry, urban bio-waste, agricultural residues and wastewater will be announced soon.

Results from World-Bank-Fundend Project on SAF and RD Produced from Palm Oil in Colombia Shared

In January 2024, Meo Carbon Solutions—in partnership with our sister companies International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) and Global Risk Assessment Services (GRAS)—shared the impactful results of our collaborative effort funded by The World Bank.

We conducted a comprehensive Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF) and Renewable Diesel (RD) produced from palm oil and its residues in Colombia. The project’s final goal is to create awareness of the implications of oil palm sector development towards SAF and RD production and to constitute the basis to guide the promotion of green market opportunities in Colombia.

One of the key lessons that emerged from these results is a positive outlook for the Colombian palm sector, with minimal deforestation risks and potential compliance with REDII and CORSIA. Additionally, several critical areas for emission reductions were identified.

Going forward, these results will be used to apply to the International Civil Aviation Organization for Colombia-specific ILUC value, raise awareness for the necessary investments to kick-start SAF production and support plantations in adopting sustainable agricultural practices. The goal is to eventually develop a strategic roadmap for a more sustainable aviation future in Colombia.

A special thanks to the World Bank, ISCC, GRAS, Fedepalma, Cenipalma and all our stakeholders for this remarkable collaboration.

You can read more about the project results here.

HORTICERT Team Exhibits at IPM Essen 2024

Our HORTICERT team recently participated in the International Plant Fair (IPM) Essen 2024 alongside Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR).

The IPM provided a valuable platform for industry leaders to convene, fostering the exchange of insights and experiences. Our team actively engaged in discussions centered around the development of more sustainable and peat-free substrates in the horticulture sector.

Furthermore, we had the honor of presenting HORTICERT at the Innovation Center Horticulture Technology, contributing to the ongoing discourse on advancements in sustainable horticulture practices. Our involvement in IPM Essen 2024 underscores our commitment to promoting environmentally responsible practices within the industry.

Food Security Standard Hosts Panel at Global Forum for Food and Agriculture 2024

Alongside our partners, Welthungerhilfe (WHH), our Food Security Standard team recently had the opportunity to host a panel for the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) 2024, where this year’s theme focused on „Food Systems for Our Future: Joining Forces for a Zero Hunger World.“

Our panel facilitated discussions among stakeholders from science, the private sector and civil society—shedding light on the challenges of implementing human rights in supply chains. What were our key takeaways from it?

Informed by the contributions of our speakers and panelists, it became evident that many people affected by hunger are cultivating agricultural products for the global market: Smallholder farmers and farm workers bear the brunt of hunger’s impact. The FSS steps in as a crucial instrument, empowering businesses to identify and address social risks in the context of food security in agricultural production.

The conversation also included current examples in the Global South, where many private companies are already working toward social sustainability in their supply chains. However, they often still need support navigating the challenges and legal requirements. Sustainability certification schemes play a pivotal role in bridging these gaps and fostering collaborative initiatives to help producer companies achieve their sustainability goals and human rights due diligence obligations.

We extend our gratitude to our speakers and panelists for sharing their expertise and insights during the event—steering conversations towards solutions. Their contributions underscore our commitment to building a future where a Zero Hunger World is not just an aspiration but a reality.

Meo Carbon Solutions Receives South African Delegation to Discuss Aspects of Certifications

Meo Carbon Solutions and our sister company International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) received a delegation from South Africa, organized by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.

Our project managers, Julia Nevares and Lukas Huxold, discussed various aspects of certifications. One of the focal points was eFuels under different modalities, such as ISCC EU and PLUS, as well as CORSIA. The discussion also focused on the challenges associated with certification in emerging fields, including eFuels, hydrogen and Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs).

A key highlight of the conversation was the shared commitment to sustainability and the exchange of ideas on the challenges and opportunities in adapting existing certification rules for third countries, with a particular focus on South Africa. This exchange of knowledge and expertise is crucial in navigating the evolving landscape of sustainability certifications and fostering collaboration on a global scale.

As we continue to work toward a green future for all, we are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with industry leaders and stakeholders.

Meo Carbon Solutions Facilitates 4C Services Climate Friendly Coffee Certification for Sucafina

Meo Carbon Solutions is honored to announce our crucial role in assisting Sucafina and a connected coffee roaster in obtaining 4C Services Climate Friendly Coffee certification for their Burundi supply chain. This achievement underscores Meo Carbon Solutions‘ commitment to driving positive change in the coffee industry through comprehensive greenhouse gas calculations and a dedication to sustainability through certifications and beyond.

Our involvement included conducting comprehensive greenhouse gas calculations for the entire supply chain, covering the cultivation and processing of Arabica coffee cherries in Burundi. These calculations also encompassed the roastery facility in Europe—from transforming coffee cherries into green coffee beans—to international transport from Burundi to Europe and transport to warehouses, where it is stored before being distributed to major supermarkets. Additionally, storage facilities were accounted for, ensuring a meticulous approach to meeting all 4C requirements.

In adherence to 4C’s certification standards, Meo Carbon Solutions jointly developed an improvement plan for future and annual greenhouse gas reductions. This commitment reflects Sucafina’s and the external roaster’s dedication to continuously striving for more sustainable practices and contributing to the long-term environmental health of the coffee industry. The achieved certification is valid for three years, with two scheduled updates to reassess reduction measures, emphasizing the commitment to ongoing compliance with 4C Climate Friendly Coffee certification. This certification allows the buyer of the coffee produced by the 4C Unit in Burundi to communicate their efforts towards reducing the carbon footprint of their coffee supply chain to consumers by using the 4C Climate Friendly Coffee logo on their packaging together with respective claims on- and off-pack.

Beyond certification requirements, Meo Carbon Solutions researched climate-neutral and climate-friendly coffee production approaches. We presented our findings to both clients, underscoring our dedication to providing holistic solutions that go beyond immediate certification needs. One of the key drivers for successfully implementing sustainability measures is forming alliances with all stakeholders in the supply chain. This project underlines this commitment once again. The roaster and Sucafina have also launched a community project, „Supporting Children’s Education in Rugori/Ngozi,“ to strengthen the local impact further.

Congratulations to the partners involved for reaching a significant milestone in their journey toward responsible and sustainable coffee production. Meo Carbon Solutions looks forward to continued collaboration with partners committed to environmental stewardship.

Meo Carbon Solutions Participated in the Creditability and GHG Accounting of eFuels Event

Meo Carbon Solutions recently participated in the Creditability and GHG Accounting of eFuels event hosted by the Leipzig Biofuel Expert Talks series and the InnoFuels Platform.

During the event, two of our team members shared their insights on crucial aspects of the eFuels landscape: GHG accounting methods for eFuels and the challenges faced by the industry and certification bodies.

Our key takeaways from this event:

1) Implementing sustainability requirements for #eFuels (#RFNBOs) in the German market is progressing positively.
2) Challenges were identified, highlighting the need for collaborative efforts among industry players, certification schemes and German authorities.
3) A joint commitment from all parties is essential to facilitate the seamless introduction of eFuels into the German market.

The gathering brought together key stakeholders—including the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU); the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK); Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH; DBFZ Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum gemeinnützige GmbH and various industry and political partners.

Meo Carbon Solutions is proud to be at the forefront of these critical conversations—driving innovation and sustainability in the eFuels sector.

HORTICERT Website Launches: An International Certification System for Peat Substitutes

Meo Carbon Solutions is excited to formally announce our latest project, HORTICERT, a certification system for peat substitutes.

HORTICERT is an international certification system ensuring sustainability along the entire supply chain. By certifying sustainable and climate-friendly peat substitutes, HORTICERT supports peat reduction that will contribute to peatland conservation, environmentally friendly horticulture and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

You can explore the HORTICERT website to learn more about why peatland conservation is critical, insights on the benefits of different peat substitutes, a comprehensive guide to our certification process and detailed information on HORTICERT’s sustainability, traceability and GHG requirements.

We will update the website soon so system users can gain access to effortless certification registration directly through our website and convenient document downloads for a seamless process.

Please visit the HORTICERT website here: https://www.horticert.org/.

Together, we can drive positive change for our environment and promote sustainability in the horticultural sector.

4C Services Release Carbon Footprint Add-On (Version 2.0)

Meo Carbon Solutions‘ sister company, 4C Services, recently released its updated 4C Carbon Footprint Add-On (version 2.0).

Meo Carbon Solutions has been a crucial partner in helping develop the latest version of the add-on, which provides system users with a powerful standard to understand and tackle the climate impact of coffee production and to certify „Climate-Friendly Coffee.“

As a consultancy, Meo supported 4C to improve the 4C certification standard, including developing this GHG add-on a few years ago. A few weeks ago, we launched version 2.0 with updates to better understand how to apply the standard, extended the list of emission factors in the annex, adapted the audit procedure and requirements and more.

The recent launch of the 4C Carbon Footprint Add-On 2.0 signifies the evolution of the 4C certification standard. This update delivers several significant improvements that enhance accessibility and effectiveness for the coffee industry.

Our partnership continues to drive progress, equipping coffee producers with the tools and knowledge required to attain „Climate-Friendly Coffee“ certification. Together, we are contributing to a more sustainable future for the coffee industry.

Former Moors in Lower Saxony Will be Rewetted

Former moors in Lower Saxony, Germany, are set to undergo a transformative change. They will be rewetted to restore their natural peatland state to help combat climate change.

The moors in this region have been drained for a long time because peat is used in hobby gardening, professional landscaping and agriculture due to its unique properties that enhance soil quality and plant growth.

However, preserving and restoring peatlands around the world is a critical step in the fight against climate change. Why? Because peatlands are nature’s carbon sinks and can hold up to twice as much carbon dioxide as forests. By rewetting these areas, we are not only protecting invaluable biodiversity but also mitigating the release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

You can learn more about this story here.

MEO CARBON SOLUTIONS MAKES FIRST PUBLIC APPERANCE UNDER HORTICERT

Meo Carbon Solutions recently joined around 200 other representatives of the growing media industry at the German Torf and Humus Day 2023, hosted by Industrieverband Garten eV (IVG). The event offered presentations and discussions on new research, challenges and opportunities for peat reduction alongside a panel discussion between political parties and industry experts.

During the event, Meo had the opportunity to represent the ongoing project on the development of an international certification system for peat substitutes and to make the first public appearance of the system under the new name HORTICERT. HORTICERT is an international certification system that ensures ecological, social and economic sustainability for peat substitutes and growing media.

But why is Meo Carbon Solutions developing an international certification system for peat substitutes? According to the German National Peat Reduction Strategy, the use of peat in hobby gardening must be ended by 2026 and largely reduced in professional landscaping and horticulture by 2030. This is because peat is one of the most common components of potting soil for both hobby gardening and professional landscaping and horticulture.

However, peatlands are home to rare plants and animals that have adapted to the extreme and unique conditions of bogs around the world, and peat extraction destroys these habitats. Additionally, peatlands store twice as much carbon dioxide as forests, and peat extraction not only eliminates these carbon sinks but also releases high levels of greenhouse gases into our atmosphere.

Stay tuned for more information about HORTICERT as we pave the way for a greener, sustainable future.

Methanex and MOL Complete First-Ever Net-Zero Voyage Fuelled by ISCC-Certified Bio-Methanol

Methanex, the world’s largest producer of methanol, and Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL) , one of the world’s largest shipping companies, have successfully completed the first-ever net-zero voyage powered by ISCC-certified bio-methanol. This historic milestone marks a significant step towards decarbonizing the shipping industry and mitigating climate change impacts.

Through its subsidiary Waterfront Shipping, Methanex and MOL have successfully completed a groundbreaking net-zero voyage using an innovative fuel solution. The dual-fuel vessel „Cajun Sun“ departed from Geismar, US, on January 17 and arrived in Antwerp, Belgium, on February 4. The voyage achieved net-zero greenhouse gas emissions on a lifecycle basis for the 18-day trans-Atlantic journey.

This achievement underscores the importance of utilizing renewable and low-carbon fuels in the shipping industry to accelerate the transition toward a more sustainable future. Bio-methanol, as a renewable fuel, has the potential to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels. It also aligns with the International Maritime Organization’s goals to reduce the shipping sector’s total annual greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50 percent by 2050.

Meo Carbon Solutions supported our long-term partner Methanex Corporation for this project.

You can read more about the net-zero voyage here.

Monitoring Bioeconomy Released its New Platform

Germany’s transition towards a bio-based, climate-neutral and circular economy is a significant step toward achieving environmentally and socially sustainable economic growth. However, this transition will only succeed if it is closely monitored and evaluated.

Monitoring Bioeconomy released its new platform for researchers, policymakers and stakeholders interested in Germany’s transition to a bioeconomy. The website provides up-to-date information on the latest developments, trends and opportunities in the field of bioeconomy—including technology, agriculture, forestry and energy. It also features a comprehensive database of relevant publications, reports and events. This information is designed to help stakeholders stay informed and connected—promoting collaboration and exchanging ideas.

Additionally, the website offers tools and resources for monitoring and evaluating the impact of bioeconomy activities. By measuring progress and identifying potential risks, stakeholders can ensure that the transition toward a bio-based economy is socially and environmentally sustainable.

In order to ensure Germany achieves its National Bioeconomy Strategy goals, we need balanced information on the opportunities and risks to help with adopting sustainable practices that benefit both the economy and environment. This new website is a valuable resource for promoting the development of sustainable bioeconomy initiatives that can contribute to a more resilient and environmentally friendly future in Germany and around the world.

Meo Carbon Solutions and our sister company GRAS Global Risk Assessment Services took part in Symobio 1.0 to develop the scientific basis for the systemic monitoring and modeling of the bioeconomy. This website was developed as part of the follow-up project, Symobio 2.0.

You can access the new website and its resources here: www.monitoring-bioeconomy.org.

The IPCC released the Synthesis Report of the Sixth Assessment Report

The United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the Synthesis Report of the Sixth Assessment Report (AR6) on March 20, 2023—delivering the most comprehensive assessment of climate change to date.

The results: Leading climate scientists gave a „final warning“ that time is running out to limit human-caused global warming, as global temperatures are quickly heading toward 1.5C above pre-industrial levels by the 2030s. With severe impacts already being felt around the world—including heat waves, drought, flooding and wildfires—breaking this 1.5C threshold will lead to unprecedented damage to the climate.

However, the assessment highlights how we still have time to reduce emissions and points to already existing solutions for governments, businesses and individuals to take in order to mitigate climate change.

You can read the full report here .

The European Commission proposed clear and detailed rules to help define renewable hydrogen in the EU

The European Commission has announced two Delegated Acts, which propose clear and detailed rules to help define renewable hydrogen in the EU.

These Acts are part of the regulatory framework for hydrogen that will ensure all renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs) are produced from renewable electricity.

The first Act defines the necessary conditions for hydrogen, hydrogen-based fuels and other energy carriers to be considered at RFNBO, as well as clarifies the principle of ‚additionality‘ in the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive. Additionally, the electrolysers used to produce hydrogen will have to be connected to new renewable electricity production.

The second Act provides a methodology to calculate the life cycle of greenhouse gas emissions for RFNBOs.

„Renewable hydrogen is a crucial component of our strategy for a cost-effective clean energy transition and to get rid of Russian fossil fuels in some industrial processes,“ according to European commissioner for energy Kadri Simson.

You can read about the Delegated Acts here.

Collaborating with HIF/AME on the production of synthetic fuels and respective GHG emissions calculation

MCS would like to congratulate HIF Global for producing the first liters of synthetic fuels at the Haru Oni Demonstration Plant in Punta Arenas, Chile—a significant milestone in the eFuels market and development.

MCS collaborated with HIF in late 2022 to develop a GHG calculator for the power-to-gasoline plant in Haru Oni. Additionally, MCS conducted supply chain mapping, provided support for the pilot plant’s sustainability certification under ISCC PLUS and conducted an analysis of current regulations regarding Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs) to consult HIF.

Haru Oni expects to start commercial operations in March 2023. It will produce low carbon carbon-neutral fuels through renewable power, green hydrogen and recycled CO2—including eMethanol, eGasoline and eLG. The plant creates these eFuels by using renewable wind energy and an electrolysis process to produce green hydrogen, which is then combined with recycled CO2. Displacing conventional fossil fuels in the transportation sector could soon be a reality with the Haru Oni Demonstration Plant’s fuel, helping to continuously reducing and recycling CO2.

Porsche is set to use the eFuel for its Porsche Experience Centers and the Porsche Mobil 1 Super Cup after the conventional plant begins operation.

The current status of MCS’s international certification system for peat substitutes project was featured in the Verbraucher Initiative’s Magazine

The use of peat in hobby gardening must be ended by 2026 and largely reduced in professional landscaping and horticulture by 2030, according to the German National Peat Reduction Strategy, which is proposed in the German Federal Government’s Climate Action Plan 2050.

Since November 2021 , MCS is developing an international certification system to promote suitable and sustainable peat alternatives. This certification system will ensure that ecological, social and economic sustainability criteria are met along international supply chains and verify GHG savings of peat substitutes production and use . The project is funded by the BMEL and the FNR and a large stakeholder committee is contributing to the development.

Currently, MCS is conducting pilot certification audits together with partner companies from the growing media industry to test the certification concept. Based on the pilot results, the new certification system will be optimized before it enters into regular implementation by the end of 2023.

We are delighted to have had the opportunity to present the current status of our project in the magazine of the Verbraucher Initiative as a stakeholder of this project (published in German, Verbraucher Konkret , 04/2022)

MCS presented at the first ISCC event about Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs)

The first ISCC event—Renewable Fuels of Non-Biological Origin (RFNBOs)—took place on 1 December 2022, with over 300 participants. Meo Carbon Solutions was invited to present the GHG methodology for RFNBOs introduced in the draft Delegated Act, highlighting key differences between the RFNBOs GHG calculation and the REDII.

In addition, the event included an ISCC presentation about the certification approach for RFNBOs and insightful talks from other relevant stakeholders in the market: From a regulatory approach, representatives from the UK Department for Transport and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency introduced their views and way forward. From a market perspective, HIF contributed with their certification experience and Sunfire presented different technologies that might apply to this market.

The presentations and details from the event can be found here .

Aligning certification systems for biological feedstocks to upcoming due diligence regulations

Since September 2022, Meo Carbon Solutions is part of a consortium of 16 renowned European institutions responsible for implementing the HORIZON Europe research project „Biological Resources Certification Scheme (BIORECER)”. The three-year project aims to ensure the environmental performance and traceability of biological feedstock used by bio-based industries and strengthen existing certification schemes. BIORECER project will complement current certification schemes by including new criteria for certifying sustainability, origin, and traceability of biological resources and ensure applicability at EU and global scale.

With valuable inputs from experts from Spain, Italy, Germany, Greece, France, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, BIORECER will provide tools and methodologies to promote circular economy models in the industrial sector, shifting from a linear value chain based on non-renewable raw materials to circular and traceable value chains.

One of the major outcomes of the project will be the development of an environmental impact and traceability assessment framework for bio-based feedstock that is aligned with existing and upcoming mandatory corporate due diligence regulations like the EU Taxonomy Regulation and the EU Corporate Due Diligence and Corporate Accountability Directive. Given MCS’s longstanding experience in the sustainability certification sector, MCS will be actively engaged in the development of the framework and will be leading the integration of the framework in existing certification schemes like for example ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification)

Addressing food insecurity in global supply chains

The proportion of the world affected by hunger keeps rising. In 2021 as much as 11.7 percent of the global population faced food insecurity at severe levels, an augmentation of 150 million people in 2 years (FAO 2022). The Food Security Standard (FSS) was developed as a private sector response to this situation. Funded by the German Federal Ministry for Food and Agriculture (BMEL) and actively managed by the Welthungerhilfe (WHH) and Meo Carbon Solutions (MCS), FSS aims at supporting the efforts at the production level of global agricultural value chains in fostering zero hunger worldwide.

During the first phase of the project (2017-2022), the FSS criteria were developed through a qualitative collaboration and consultation process between the public and private sectors. Hence, it incorporates Human Rights Principles, as the right to adequate food, and obligations from the private sector on social due diligence. To facilitate its effective implementation, the FSS is designed as an Add-On and can be easily adopted by existing sustainable certification systems and carried out within a combined audit process.

The second phase of the FSS project, which started in July 2022, aims at fostering standard adoption by the public and private sectors as well as civil society. Already adopted by two globally operating sustainable certification schemes (4C & ISCC), the FSS aims to extend its adoption at the global level and for it to be applied to other agricultural commodities (food and non-food sector).

Additionally, to ensure FSS adoption by companies and producers in a more challenging context, a capacity-building program called the Food Security Sensitive Management (FOSSEM) will be developed and implemented.

Development and implementation of an international certification system for peat substitutes

MCS has been commissioned by Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe e.V. (FNR) to develop and implement an international certification system for peat substitutes. The background of this project is the reduction of the use of peat in horticulture and landscaping, as well as in hobby gardening, which is envisaged in the Climate Action Plan 2050 of the German Federal Government. Promoting suitable and sustainable peat alternatives is critical to achieving the goal of building a substrate industry that conserves peatlands and reduces GHG emissions.

The project includes the development of a certification concept, pilot testing and optimization of the certification system as well as the transition to regular operation and will take place over a period of 48 months under involvement of relevant stakeholders. The certification system will enable the verification of ecological, social, and economic sustainability aspects of peat substitutes, the determination of GHG emissions of the substitutes as well as their emissions savings compared to conventional products, and the traceability of international supply chains. In addition, the certification system will be applicable for all peat substitutes currently on the market as well as for future substitutes.

Guidance on the Protection of Childrens Rights

We are very proud to announce that Meo has supported 4C Services in the development of the 4C Guidance on the Protection of Childrens Rights which is now published! Great news for us but even greater news for the coffee industry to eliminate child labour in coffee supply chains. The elimination of child labour in coffee supply chains is part of 4C’s mission to anchor sustainability across environmental, social and economic dimensions. The development involved different stakeholders including auditors, 4C Managing Entities and experts from the industry.

Human Rights in agricultural value chains include the Right for food

“Companies have to respect all human rights; and the Right to Food, which is embodied in the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, is interlinked with all other human rights, for example the right to education, to health or to water“. The sufficiency of EU laws on addressing Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) has been recently discussed at an online conference organized by Welthungerhilfe and Meo Carbon Solutions. Outcomes indicate that sustainability certification represents an important tool to support corporate HRDD, contributing to human rights fulfilment in general and the Right to Food of farmers and farm labourers in particular.
The Food Security Standard (FSS) has been developed to proof whether production on farms in the Global South is compatible with the human right to food of smallholders and farm labourers and the surrounding communities.

Read more about the value of integrating the FSS into certification schemes in an article published by Rural 21 – The International Journal for Rural Development (17/12/2021).

Compensation of greenhouse gas emissions of the new Rephone produced by 4G Systems

At Meo Carbon Solutions we are highly committed to reduce GHG emissions as a priority measure to support the urgency of taking action to reach a carbon-neutral future. We estimated greenhouse gas emissions for the production of Rephone, to ensure carbon-neutrality through appropriate compensation for 4G Systems GmbH & Co KG. By using local components and manufacturing the Rephone locally, 4G Systems reduces the GHG emissions from production and transport. For example, packaging and printed materials are sourced locally and the production in Bocholt is operated with green electricity. However, because the production cannot avoid components from Asia, at least for the time being, 4G Systems compensates the CO₂ produced there, via offsetting. Since the Rephone is geared towards sustainability, carbon-neutrality plays a key role. The amount of carbon to be offsetted was determined through the Life Cycle Assessment (LCAs) of comparable smartphone models already on the market. Meo supported 4G Systems in offsetting their emissions by supplying high-quality certified carbon credits from the Lower Zambezi REDD + Project (LZRP) in Zambia. The LZRP is certified by the Verified Carbon Standard and applies a holistic approach that creates links between poverty, environmental degradation, and climate change and addresses these areas together.

MCS presented at the 4C seminar series „Sustainable Coffee Day III”

MCS was invited to present at the 4C seminar series „Sustainable Coffee Day III”

The past months the third round of 4C’s online seminars dealing with sustainability challenges and solutions within the coffee supply chains started with great success. MCS´s senior project managers Julia Ostrowski and Katia Masias Bröcker were invited to present on different sessions. Julia presented about the calculation of GHG emissions and the reduction of coffee’s carbon footprint and 4C Climate Friendly Coffee certification, which is currently under development. Katia gave an introduction to the main components of existing due diligence regulations and explained how certification systems, like 4C, can be used to support companies to comply with due diligence obligations. Furthermore, on a different session, Katia provided guidance to participants on how to establish a child labour due diligence system to identify, prevent, and remediate child labour cases. She also provided guidance to auditors on detecting and reporting child labour cases and/or disrespect of children´s rights in coffee farms.

In 2022, 4C will be holding more exciting online seminars on this important topic. Check out their website to participate.

MCS study „Analysis of the palm oil market in Germany in 2019“ is published!

The study „Analysis of the palm oil market in Germany in 2019 “ conducted by Meo Carbon Solutions on behalf of the German Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (Forum für Nachhaltiges Palmöl, FONAP), identified that 1.26 million tons of palm oil and 120,212 tons of palm kernel oil were consumed in Germany in 2019. Furthermore, an overall share of sustainable palm and kernel oil in total consumption have increased by 5% compared to 2017 and amounted to 83% and 63%, respectively.
Having a closer look to the five sectors, the share of sustainable palm (kernel) oil by sectors in 2019 was as following: energy – 100% sustainable palm oil, food – 90% sustainable palm oil and 88% palm kernel oil, feed – 25% sustainable palm oil, chemicals/pharmaceuticals – 63% sustainable palm oil and 64% palm kernel oil, cleaning products & cosmetics 63% sustainable palm oil and 64% palm kernel oil.
Since 2013, the share of sustainable palm oil and palm kernel oil in Germany is continuously increasing (sustainable palm oil consumption increased from 70% to 83%, palm kernel oil consumption increased from 42% to 63%).

MCS presented at 4C seminar series „Sustainable Coffee Day II“

This week the second round of 4C’s online seminars dealing with the sustainability in the coffee sector and its way to climate neutrality started with great success. Our director Dr. Jan Henke was invited to give a presentation about carbon footprint calculations and reduction measures within the coffee sector as well as climate friendly coffee certification. Further great speakers from Nestlé and ISCC also gave deep insights regarding the importance of sustainable coffee production and once again highlighted the great need to act! In the coming weeks, 4C will be holding more exciting online seminars on this important topic. Check out their website to participate here.

Our latest article on an Integrated Sustainability Risk Analysis for Certification is published

Under the title „Combining Environmental Footprint Models, Remote Sensing Data, and Certification Data towards an Integrated Sustainability Risk Analysis for Certification in the Case of Palm Oil“ Meo Carbon Solutions has published a new article together with co-authors from the German Biomass Research Centre (DBFZ), Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) and Global Risk Assessment Services (GRAS).
The article is published in the journal „Sustainability“ as part of the special issue „Sustainability and Standardization“. The outlined conceptual approach is about an integrated sustainability risk analysis of processes and products used within the Bioeconomy by taking into account footprint modelling data, the use of sustainability certification systems, and data and results from remote sensing analyses. Monitoring the potential impacts of the growing Bioeconomy (BE) is a crucial precondition for the development of viable and sustainable strategies. Click here to read the abstract and to get access to the complete version of our paper as PDF download.

MCS has participated in the 4C online seminar series „Sustainable Coffee Thursday“.

The international coffee certification scheme 4C Services is holding a series of online seminars in September and October revolving around sustainability problematics in the coffee sector. Various topics such as deforestation, biodiversity, climate change and social challenges within the coffee industry will be touched upon in the multiple rounds of bi-weekly seminars. Meo Carbon Solutions has held a presentation on “Greenhouse Gas Calculations in Coffee Supply Chains and Climate Friendly Coffee Certification with 4C” last Thursday 15 October 2020 with more than 100 participants. Click here for the 4C seminar page to download our presentation.

MCS welcomes the BMZ’s implication in favour of a more sustainable palm oil sector

MCS welcomes the support of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in favour of a more sustainable palm oil sector, by joining the Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (FONAP) in July 2020 (press release). Next to the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL), the BMZ is the second Federal Ministry in the Sustainable Palm Oil Forum. Alongside other stakeholders, including the BDSI and MCS, the BMZ therefore takes a proactive stance in supporting higher increased usage of sustainably certified palm oil in various sectors. Every two years, MCS conducts an independent scientific study on the use of palm oil in Germany on behalf of FONAP covering the sectors food, feed, chemicals, biofuels and care and cleaning products. The 4th version of the “Study for a comprehensive analysis of the palm oil sector in Germany” for 2019 is planned for later this year, so stay tuned for more information!

MCS Supports the German Supply Chain Act

Meo Carbon Solutions, as part of a group of 33 stakeholders within the Sustainable Agricultural Supply Chain Initiative, has committed itself to the Supply Chain Act. The Supply Chain Act binds the committing stakeholders, in support of the German Government’s initiative in favour of a stringent national supply chains regulation, to responsibilities in taking action against environmental and human rights violations within their supply chains. The Supply Chain Act will soon be submitted to the German Parliament’s scrutiny approval. Supporting the Supply Chain Act means taking a proactive stance in favour of more sustainable and transparent supply chains. The following companies and organisations have signed the joint statement for a supply chain law: 4C, Beckers Bester, Biodiversity in Good Company, Bodensee-Stiftung, dm Drogeriemarkt, Dr. Bronner’s, Einhorn, Fairtrade Deutschland, Followfood, GEPA, Global Nature Fund, GRAS, ISCC, Jaro Institute, Kafkao Republic, Kahlwax, meo, Naturamus, Naturland, Nestlé, Norevo, Rainforest Alliance, Ritter Sport, Roeper, Solidaridad, Symrise, Tchibo, tegut, travel to nature, WALA, Weleda, Welthungerhilfe, WWF. For further information click here.

MCS project partner Vynova has developed a unique approach on biobased PVC

The chemical company Vynova markets a line of PVC with biological properties that will help customers in all sectors to develop innovations and make their PVC products more sustainable. It is produced on the basis of renewable ethylene, a raw material derived from second-generation biomass, which means that the biomass does not compete with the food chain. Thanks to the introduction of renewable ethylene, significantly less fossil fuels are needed than in the conventional PVC production process. This reduces CO2 emissions by more than 90%. Vynova’s „bio-attributed“ PVC range is suitable for both hard and soft PVC applications in all sectors. Vynova’s Belgian site in Tessenderlo will produce the monomer that forms the basis for the PVC portfolio with bio-attributes. The company has chosen ISCC PLUS for the certification of its developed „bio-attributed“ PVC (see article).

MCS at this years ISCC Global Sustainability Conference in Brussels

On February 12 2020 the 10th ISCC Global Sustainability Conference took place at Residence Palace in Brussels, Belgium. The annual conference offered valuable insights into the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II) and the implementation in the Member States. Representatives from the European Commission and Member States presented policy updates that are highly valuable for professionals working in the renewable energy industry. Furthermore, the European Commission spoke about the EU Circular Economy Action Plan and forward-thinking companies unveiled their best strategies to implement holistic circular and bio-based approaches in the plastics industry. In addition, expert speakers gave an update on the latest developments in the transport sector, mapping and traceability tools and food security as part of certification schemes.

MCS informed the audience about new Sustainability Criteria for Solid Biomass and successful certification of lignofuels, based on processing residues from the forest industry or wood from agriculture (click here for the presentation). The year 2021 will be crucial for implementing sustainability criteria for solid biomass once RED II will be nationally implemented on June 30 – companies shall start to prepare for the future market. Some EU Member States already have sustainability requirements for solid biomass being eligible under national subsidiary schemes. ISCC is recognized in the Netherlands for its „ISCC Solid Biomass NL“ scheme.

MCS at the 1st International Conference on Cellulose Fibres

The two-day conference on Cellulose Fibres (11-12 February 2020) organized by the NOVA institute, a research institute with a focus on bio-based and CO2-based economy, gave interesting insights in what is moving the sector of cellulose fibres and the market for textiles in general, and where the industry is heading concerning major sustainability issues. The topic was discussed from different angles by amongst others fibre producers, retailers, research institutes and NGOs/NPOs. Cellulose fibres are the fastest growing fibre group in textiles. As a material with still mostly bio-based feedstocks, credible sustainability certification along the complex supply chain is a necessary and effective way to proof credibility towards customers and society.

MCS therefore introduced the ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification) scheme as it is a globally established sustainability certification scheme with a strong focus on deforestation-free supply chains and traceability.

Wood is still the most important feedstock for the production of cellulose fibres. At the conference it became clear though, that the sector is developing innovative concepts and technologies to replace wood as feedstock and use waste and residue feedstocks instead. This way, they can contribute to a bio-based and circular economy.

10-Year Anniversary of MCS

This year Meo Carbon Solutions celebrates its 10th anniversary. Since 2009 MCS has continuously grown and expanded its project portfolio considerably to all fields of sustainability. Next to business projects we are also increasingly active in research projects. Started with regional clients in Germany and the EU, we are now cooperating with numerous international partners on shaping a sustainable future. We actively support businesses, NGOs, ministries and other institutions in implementing their sustainable visions. Have a look at our diverse references and project partners.
The success story of MCS is only possible due to the excellent work and dedication of all of our employees. Looking back at 10 years of MCS, we are proud of our achievements and thankful for all the great collaborations we had so far. In the future, we strive to continuously improve our work in cooperation with our clients as an innovative solution provider for sustainable supply chains.

Argus Biofuels Conference October 2019

The two-day Argus Biofuels conference in October 2019 featured many international speakers and experts across the full supply chain of biodiesel and ethanol. The Director of Meo Carbon Solutions, Dr. Jan Henke, presented in his talk „Compliance under Annex 9: How can we ensure RED certification criteria are met and protect against the risk of fraud?“ complexities of standardisation, risks around products with multipliers and around fraudulent biofuels.

UN Climate Action Summit 2019

The United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019 took place on 23rd September in New York. UN Secretary-General António Guterres seeked to raise ambition reaching climate change objectives on a global level and called on all leaders for concrete, realistic plans to enhance their nationally determined contributions by 2020 to reach the goal of net zero emissions by 2050. Above all stands the 2°C goal of the Paris Agreement. The summit especially functioned as a platform for governments, businesses and civil society to discuss and implement solutions fighting the climate crisis. The closing press release of the Summit can be found here.

Symobio 2nd Status Conference

The second Symobio status conference „Towards a Sustainable Bioeconomy: Key Elements for Monitoring“ focussed on three areas:
– Resource base and sustainability / production of biomass
– Determination of economic indicators
– Systemic monitoring and modelling of the bioeconomy (SYMOBIO)
The conference was held in September 2019 in the Federal Ministry of Education and Research of Germany (BMBF) in Berlin.

Since March 2017, Meo Carbon Solutions and seven consortium partners, e.g. The Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research and the Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum (DBFZ, German Biomass Research Centre) work on the development of the scientific basis for a systemic monitoring and modelling of the bioeconomy. Additionally, the improved use of certification and life cycle assessment (LCA) will be explored. The SYMOBIO project is funded by the BMBF and runs until February 2020. Further information are available here.

Smallholder APP will increase traceability

Until today, the majority of the world’s farms are managed by independent smallholders. Altogether, those small farms operate around 80% of the world’s agricultural land. Unfortunately, their low yields and incomes combined with lack of market and financial access can increase the risk of deforestation and biodiversity loss.

Including smallholders into sustainable supply chains provides an opportunity to ensure stable living standards and reduce the risk of deforestation. However, the integration of smallholders into sustainable supply chains is difficult due to the complexity of supply chains and limited information. The location of smallholders is often unknown and traceability a big challenge for downstream supply chain actors. Against this background, Meo Carbon Solution, in a joint project with Global Risk Assessment Services (GRAS) and International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC), developed a new and user-friendly mobile application which allows mapping, tracking and monitoring of smallholders and enables users to trace back raw material to smallholder field level.

The Smallholder App

The Smallholder App is a new and user-friendly mobile application which allows the collection of basic farmer data, pictures and polygons of farmer fields. All data can be securely uploaded into an cloud-based database. The app is customizable according to the specific needs of user.

The Tracking App

The Tracking app allows to trace back crops to smallholder fields. Using QR codes for identification, the data collector can identify the amount of delivered crops per smallholder, register entire delivery tours and data at the recipient (e.g. palm oil mill). Through the tracking app, fully traceable supply chains can be achieved.

The GRAS MIS

The GRAS MIS allows the visualization of all collected data, which have been uploaded into the cloud. The system includes an integrated sustainability assessments function, which can automatically analyze farmer field polygons against protected areas, deforestation, peatlands, fires and more. Further, the systems allows the user to identify gaps (e.g. low yields) and plan specific trainings. The continuous data collection through the apps allows the monitoring (e.g. performance improvements) of the smallholders. Data can be entered in the system either via the apps or through specific upload functions. All data (e.g. field outlines as geojson) can be easily downloaded for further needs.

Wildfires in the Amazon rainforest – Our Call for Deforestation-Free Supply Chains

Since the beginning of 2019, wildfires in the Amazon rainforest have been disproportionally devastating in comparison to previous years. The Brazilian Institute of Space Research (INPE) reported nearly 94,000 fires in 2019. Considered the lungs of the planet, rainforests are critical as carbon sinks and help stabilising the Earth’s climate. As highly biodiverse biospheres, the rainforest is home to many endemic and endangered species. Although fires have become common this year due to drier conditions, which are exacerbated by prior deforestation, the disproportional increase in fires does not match with the weather conditions. Instead, many fires are set by ranchers and farmers seeking to clear land for illegal cattle ranching, soy and other agricultural feedstocks. According to the latest annual report of the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), agriculture, food production and deforestation are among the major drivers of climate change. In collaboration with our partners, MCS promotes and supports deforestation free supply chains that protect forests from illegal activities that may result in wildfires.

Team Event Maastricht 2019 – We love bees!

At MCS, we support the conservation of biodiversity and understand the importance of honey bees and other pollinators for the ecosystems and agricultural crops. At this years team event we learned more about beekeeping and our little helpers at the Byeboere Social & Urban Beekeepers Project in Maastricht. For more information click here.

Earth Overshoot Day 2019

The 29th of July 2019 marks this year’s Earth Overshoot Day. By this date, we have consumed all the resources that the earth can provide sustainably for one whole year. In order not to deplete resources and drain our planet, we would have to stop consuming anything completely from now on until the 31st of December. Of course, we do nothing of the sort and hence we overtax our forests, soils, waterways and oceans – just like every year.
Meo Carbon Solutions together with its clients and worldwide projects works on solutions to reduce GHG emissions in cultivation, production and entire supply chains in various fields to reduce resource consumption, increase efficiency and fight climate change.

Traceability in the Palm Oil Sector

Asian Agri is one of the biggest palm oil producers in Indonesia and committed to traceable and sustainable supply chains with the help of ISCC, RSPO and ISPO certification. In 2018 the company commissioned Meo Carbon Solutions in a joint project with SNV to verify their claims on traceability. The traceability system is crucial in order to ensure deforestation-free palm oil production that is sustainable for farmers, the environment and Asian Agri itself. Further information on Asian Agri’s sustainability performance can be found in their current Sustainability Report 2017-2018.

Sustainable Foods Summit Amsterdam 2019

The Sustainable Foods Summit is a platform to discuss trends, developments and standards in the food industry – all in the context of sustainability. The importance of eco-labels and certification, sustainability metrics and sustainable ingredients are examples of many topics that are relevant to the Summit. The four sessions of the 2019 Summit in Amsterdam specifically focussed on general sustainability issues for the food industry, on food ingredients, new technologies and green packaging solutions. Meo Carbon Solutions supports companies producing agricultural goods entering the food market to calculate and manage their GHG emissions and paving the way to receive a sustainability certification. Further information and details of upcoming summits are presented here.

German Sustainable Action Days 2019

From the 30th of May to the 5th of June 2019 Meo Carbon Solutions participated in the German Sustainable Action Days (Deutsche Aktionstage Nachhaltigkeit). They are part of Europe’s Sustainable Development Week and aim to promote exemplary engagement and to raise public awareness of the topic. During the week, the employees of Meo Carbon Solutions organized various activities for their own team and for all employees and visitors to the office building in Cologne. For more information click here.

New Renewable Energy Directive (RED II)

The European Commission agreed on a revised Renewable Energy Directive (2018/2001/EU) that will replace the first Directive after 2020. The new version requires the EU to derive 32% of its energy from renewable energy sources by 2030. Moreover, at least 14% of the energy consumed by the transport sector must come from renewable sources by 2030. The regulation also leaves the opportunity to raise both targets further by 2023 in case the costs of renewable energy production have reduced considerably or in case more ambitious targets are deemed necessary to meet the Union’s emission reduction obligation of 40 % compared to 1990.

2017 Palm Oil Market Study

The study „The palm oil market in Germany in 2017“ conducted by Meo Carbon Solutions assessed that 1.124.860 tons of palm oil and 119 300 tons of palm kernel oil were consumed in Germany in 2017. As the study on behalf of the German Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (Forum für Nachhaltiges Palmöl, FONAP) is the third of its kind, Meo was able to identify a rise in the consumption of sustainable palm oil by 6% in comparison to 2015 (5% rise of sustainable palm kernel oil consumption). The consumption by sectors in 2017 breaks downs as following: energy 52%, food 22%, feed 13%, chemicals/pharmaceuticals 11%, cleaning products & cosmetics 3%.
Since 2013, overall palm oil consumption has been declining and the certified amounts of palm oil in non-energy quantities are increasing.

Systemic Monitoring and Modelling of the Bioeconomy (SYMOBIO)

Since March 2017, Meo Carbon Solutions and seven consortium partners, e.g. The Helmholtz-Centre for Environmental Research and the Deutsches Biomasseforschungszentrum (DBFZ, German Biomass Research Centre) work on the development of the scientific basis for a systemic monitoring of the bioeconomy. The SYMOBIO project (support code: 617 40003 031B0281F) is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. The consortium is led by the Center for Environmental Systems Research, University Kassel. If you are interested in further information please do not hesitate to contact us. A more detailed project description can be found here.

2015 palm oil market study

On September 27th 2016, Meo Carbon Solutions presented the results of the palm oil market study in Berlin. The study was conducted on behalf of the German Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (Forum für Nachhaltiges Palmöl, FONAP).

Expansion of the EU-ETS

Meo Carbon Solutions has started a scientific project in cooperation with the Kiel Institute for the World Economy and the University of Göttingen. The aim of the two year project is to develop options for an expansion of the EU-ETS guaranteeing equal conditions for competition for all types of renewable energies. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture through its Agency for Renewable Resources (FNR).

Article: Sustainable Palm Oil production with GRAS

Meo Carbon Solutions presents GRAS and its strategic role for supporting sustainable palm oil production in the article „Sustainability as a Success Factor for Palm Oil Producers Supplying the European Vegetable Oil Markets“ in the issue Vol. 16(1) 2016 of the Peer Reviewed Journal Oil Palm Industry Economic Journal (OPIEJ).

Article: Sustainable cosmetics and detergents

Meo Carbon Solutions presents ISCC PLUS, GRAS and the advantages of its adoption in the cosmetics and detergents sector in the article „Deforestation-free and traceable supply chains for the production of sustainable surfactants“ in the July/ August issue of the International Peer Reviewed Journal Household and Personal Care Today.

Meo presentation on Fachkongress Holzenergie

On October 7th Meo Carbon Solutions gave a presentation on „Analysis of sustainability risks for solid biomass using GRAS“ at the 16th Fachkongress Holzenergie in Augsburg, Germany

Meo presentation on Oleofuels conference

On June 21st 2016 Meo Carbon Solutions presented the „Impact of latest developments in GHG requirements on biofuel markets” at the Oleofuels 2016 conference in Liverpool, UK.

Meo presentation on the 63. SEPAWA conference

On October 13^th 2016, Meo Carbon Solutions presented results from the palm oil market study of the German Forum for Sustainable Palm Oil (Forum für Nachhaltiges Palmöl, FONAP) on the SEPAWA conference in Fulda.

Malaysian palm oil producers

After recent allegations of deforestation, peatland conversion and rights abuses in its supply chain, more and more companies are cutting back supplies from one of Malaysians biggest palm oil producing company.

Klasmann-Deilmann group footprint calculation by Meo

Culture and growing media market leader Klasmann-Deilmann reports the product and company footprint calculated by Meo Carbon Solutions in its 2016 annual sustainability report.

Sustainability risk assessment tool GRAS developed by Meo

The Global Risk Assessment Services tool GRAS developed by Meo with support of German FNR and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has been launched successfully and is available at gras-system.org.