Paul Adams, Synertree

1. LATEST ON THE
SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA
#UKADBiogas @adbioresources
CHAIR:
MATT HINDLE, ADBA
PANEL:
DR STEPHEN WISE, RICARDO AEA
LUCY HOPWOOD, NNFCC
DR WILL MEZZULLO, FUTURE BIOGAS
DR PAUL ADAMS, SYNERTREE

2. AD & Biogas Sustainability Criteria
NEC, Birmingham. 1st July 2015.
Complying with
Sustainability Criteria
Lessons learned from the RO
&
What to expect with the RHI
UK AD & Biogas – 1st July 2015

3. AD & Biogas Sustainability Criteria
NEC, Birmingham. 1st July 2015.
About Synertree
• Specialists in biomass sustainability criteria reporting and auditing;
• 10+ years experience of bioenergy LCAs and greenhouse gas auditing;
• Bioenergy research background including GHGs and policy;
• Worked with over 15 operators / sites specifically on sustainability criteria compliance;
• Substantial time committed to developing and interpreting legislation for biogas;
• ADBA Member!

4. AD & Biogas Sustainability Criteria
NEC, Birmingham. 1st July 2015.
Lessons learned from the RO
• Issues encountered in 2014/15 audits
include:
• Lack of supporting information
available to support GHG calculations
• Evidence packs were not produced for
audits lots of chasing time/cost
• Land criteria not always simple to
demonstrate
• No GHG manuals or procedures
difficult to understand information flow
• List of suppliers and stock records /
reconciliations not available
• Difficulties in obtaining information /
evidence from supply chain
• Limited understanding of legislation
and requirements

5. AD & Biogas Sustainability Criteria
NEC, Birmingham. 1st July 2015.
The ‘Sustainability Audit’
• GHG reporting and audits are not straightforward
• Operators surprised by the data and information required for sustainability reporting.
• It is the operators responsibility to accurately report to Ofgem, disclose data to the
auditor, ensure evidence is available, and provide the audit report.
• It is the auditors responsibility to plan and carry out evidence gathering and testing
activities, inform the operator of non-compliance, write the sustainability audit report.

6. AD & Biogas Sustainability Criteria
NEC, Birmingham. 1st July 2015.
Data Collection & Audit Trail
• Collect data on key parameters
• Introduce data management systems and keep appropriate records
• Ensure that the data reported can be supported by ‘appropriate’ audit evidence
• If you don’t have accurate or complete records then you are either likely to fail a
sustainability audit or receive an adverse opinion.

7. AD & Biogas Sustainability Criteria
NEC, Birmingham. 1st July 2015.
What to expect with the RHI
• GHG criteria is tight for crop-based AD so expect scrutiny
• Reporting commences from 5th October 2015
• Quarterly reporting and annual audit based on commissioning date
• First year there is a 6 month audit exemption to 5th April 2016
• First year audits could be anything from 6-18 months, 12 months thereafter
• Not much time left to be prepared and get systems and evidence ready
• Be pro-active as experience from RO shows being unorganised will cost

8. AD & Biogas Sustainability Criteria
NEC, Birmingham. 1st July 2015.
Preparing for Reporting & Audit
• Be prepared!
• Seek professional advice/support if you are unfamiliar with GHG reporting
• Develop the audit trail from field to facility, from biomass to biomethane
• Be familiar with the Ofgem requirements
• Appoint an auditor early as you will want to work with them through the year
• Take this seriously as non-compliance will result in reduced RHI/RO payments
• Biomass Sustainability Criteria is here to stay, so you need to understand the
potential implications for your facility and keep up to date with legislation.

9. AD & Biogas Sustainability Criteria
NEC, Birmingham. 1st July 2015.
Paul Adams
Director, Synertree Ltd
paul@synertree.co.uk
+44 (0) 7815 152 594
AD & Biogas 2015

10. LATEST ON THE
SUSTAINABILITY CRITERIA
#UKADBiogas @adbioresources
CHAIR:
MATT HINDLE, ADBA
PANEL:
DR STEPHEN WISE, RICARDO AEA
LUCY HOPWOOD, NNFCC
DR WILL MEZZULLO, FUTURE BIOGAS
DR PAUL ADAMS, SYNERTREE