create your own principles

1. LET THE SUN SHINE IN

A sustainable biodiesel producer is not only able to point to meaningful real world examples of each of the following principles in their own operation, but actively promotes those examples.

2. REVOLUTIONARIES, NOT OUTLAWS

Sustainable biodiesel production follows all applicable laws of the jurisdiction in which it is produced. Sustainable biodiesel production does not violate natural resource rights, such as land and water rights.

3. GOOD NEIGHBORS

Sustainable biodiesel projects are developed and operated under appropriate, transparent, and participatory processes that involve all relevant stakeholders.

4. KEEPING IT CLEAN

Sustainable biodiesel contributes to climate change mitigation by dramatically reducing lifecycle GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions as compared to fossil fuels and other, less sustainable biofuels.

5. FAIR TRADE

Sustainable biodiesel production does not violate human rights nor labor rights, ensuring safe and decent working conditions. Sustainable biodiesel stakeholders have a goal of providing living wages and ways to empower their employees, through special benefits, stock ownership, and/or other means.

6. SMALL IS NECESSARY

Sustainable biodiesel production contributes to the social and economic well-being of local communities, in part by a) placing limitations on centralized, non-diversified growth, b) using local vendors and supply chains whenever possible, and c) making it a priority to sell into the local market and avoid shipping materials long distances.

7. THE NUMBERS TALK

Sustainable biodiesel producers understand the need to be able to quantify carbon footprint and lifecycle energy balance, and showcase those numbers for the public. Additionally, sustainable biodiesel producers are committed to lowering the carbon footprint, and raising the energy balance, to the extent possible.

8. FOOD VS. FUEL

Sustainable biodiesel production does not impair food security, and when possible, aids it.

9. RESPECT FOR ALL LIFE

In the case where sustainable biodiesel has a measurable impact on biodiversity, areas of High Conservation Value, soil health, air quality, and/or water quality, such an impact is beneficial.

10. PANDORA'S BOX

Where new technologies and methodology are concerned, sustainable biodiesel stakeholders apply the Precautionary Principle, which states that if an action or policy might cause severe or irreversible harm to the public or to the environment, in the absence of a scientific consensus that harm would not ensue, the burden of proof falls on those who would advocate taking the action.

11. WASTE NOT, WANT NOT

Sustainable biodiesel producers and stakeholders are dedicated to the idea that there is no such thing as waste, and that every input and output must be accounted for in as efficient, productive, and responsible a manner possible. "Reduce, Re-use, and Recycle" is a principle tenet of sustainable biodiesel production.

12. DETAILS MATTER

Sustainable biodiesel stakeholders apply the "triple bottom line" of people-planet-profit to even very small decisions.

13. THIS IS NOT A CHARITY

Sustainable biodiesel production is economically viable independent of government support.

14. APPROPRIATE USE

Sustainable biodiesel producers acknowledge that there will never be enough fuel to do everything that everybody wants, and that with that in mind, it is best to prioritize usage in favor of highest community value, to the extent possible.

15. QUALITY BUILDS COMMITMENT

Sustainable biodiesel production is done with an eye toward highest quality fuel possible. End product functionality is not compromised in order to achieve the other goals in this list.

16. FUELING EVOLUTION

Sustainable biodiesel stakeholders are dedicated to the ideal of continuous improvement, and are committed to making advancements in economic, social and environmental performance. S