The Regional Risk Assessment (RRA) Process
Regional Risk Assessments (RRA) are a part of Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP)’s approach for identifying and mitigating risks associated with sustainably sourcing feedstock for biomass pellet and wood chip production. An RRA evaluates an entire geographic region to determine the risks associated with sourcing biomass feedstock from that region. The process that must be followed is set out in SBP’s RRA Procedure Version 1.1. The certification system is intended to provide assurance that woody biomass is made from legal and sustainable sources.
The Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) mandated a working body to conduct RRA for the provinces of Quebec, British Columbia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. We invite you to learn about each RRA process and their specific information.
Click on the provincial flags below for more information. Let us know what you think!
The Organizational Structure of the Project
The Wood Pellet Association of Canada (WPAC) initiated Regional Risk Assessment (RRA) process for three (3) provinces in Canada: British Columbia, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. A team of natural resource, certification and community engagement specialists from across Canada from the Working Body (WB). The WB facilitates the risk assessments to ensure that relevant information of forestry laws, policies and practices are accurately captured in the RRA’s for each province verifying the legality and sustainability requirements. Information includes interviews with experts, applicable legislation, reports from Provincial authorities, various databases, statistical data sources as well as community input and engagement. The WB gathers, synthesizes and analyzes relevant information for each thirty-eight (38) indicators, which leads to internal draft assessments. The resulting drafts are made available for review and comment. Once the stakeholder consultation reviews are concluded, the WB finalizes the report based on the comments received and submit the draft to Sustainable Biomass Program (SBP) for its review. Once SBP is satisfied that it complies with its requirements, SBP approves the RRA report and they are publicly available on the SBP website. The RRA is then used by biomass producers to manage their level of risks with legality and sustainability requirements.
Working Body (WB)
Working Body Coordinator
Hopkin Forest Management Consulting Ltd.
Brenda Hopkin
email: brenda@kootenay.ca
Tel.:250-345-0063
The Working Body (WB) consists of a team of independent natural resources and community engagement specialists from across Canada. The WB has been involved in the development of Regional Risk Assessments (RRA) for the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Québec and British Columbia.
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Nicolas Blanchette, Chain of Custody and Forest Management Certification Specialist
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Daniel Martin, Forestry Specialist based in New Brunswick
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Alexa Matthes, Environmental Scientist, Technical and Administration Support