The UK and EU could deliver up to 80% of the greener road transport fuels according to a peer review of work carried out by the Renewable Energy Association by Imperial College London released today (22nd October). These fuels could be delivered through domestic production, using EU grown feedstocks without increasing the overall land area used for arable crops in the EU27. The review adds that in addition there will be imports of sustainable feedstock and finished biofuels to make up the full UK obligation under the EU’s Renewable Energy Directive. The review follows a modelling exercise, carried out by the REA, to find out exactly where these fuels could come from, and the role of UK and EU producers. The results showed that, while new technologies such as electric vehicles and other fuels such as biogas will undoubtedly make a contribution, the vast majority of the renewable transport fuel will come from traditionally produced biofuels.
Clare Wenner, Head of Renewable Transport at the REA said: "The UK has signed up to the Renewable Energy Directive, and we need the right policies in place if we are to deliver the green fuels to meet its targets. The government should revise the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation so that the proportion of biofuels increases steadily from 2010 up to the level required in 2020.
"Imperial College London has verified the results which show that these fuels can be produced in a sustainable way. With the right legislative framework, including the implementation of environmental rules under the Directive, it will be possible to limit indirect land use effects. Land will always be used for food and fuel, and the overall balance of these impacts could be positive as far as food is concerned. In fact, it seems likely that wheat-based biofuels production will not affect the amount of wheat exported by the EU as a whole."
However, Friends of the Earth remains unconvinced and in a statement also released today Friends of the Earth's biofuels campaigner Kenneth Richter said: "Increasing bioethanol production here in Britain for use in our petrol is expensive - the main reason only eight per cent of biofuels were produced here last year - and the intensification of agriculture needed would come with serious environmental consequences.
"Biofuels are ineffective at tackling climate change", he continued. "The Government should be investing in the solutions we know will cut carbon emissions, like smarter cars that use less fuel and incentives to get people walking, cycling, and using public transport."
Nevertheless, figures produced as part of the review show that there is a major opportunity for biofuels in the UK. There is the potential for bioethanol production in the UK to rise by 20 times its current level by 2020, and biodiesel to rise by three times, creating thousands of green jobs.
Clare Wenner said: "This review shows that biofuels can make a major contribution, without adversely affecting the environment or the food chain. However, we cannot afford to hang around if we are going to meet these targets by 2020, and make an effective contribution to combating climate change. There has been too much delay already."
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