Summary
In the context of the ambitious environmental, social and economic targets within the Sustainable Development Goals, new partnerships are emerging which aim to scale-up sustainable production, trade and consumption. The EU's Renewable Energy Directive (EU RED) aims to promote the use of sustainably produced biofuels though the use of private standards and certification programmes. This case-study explains how the policy - which is currently under revision - needs to do more to distinguish between low-bar standards and more comprehensive, credible standards - which is needed to foster a 'race to the top' in more sustainable biofuel production.