Government seeking views on future for advanced, low carbon fuels

Tue 17 December 2013 View all news

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced a 'call for evidence' on advanced fuels; low carbon fuels produced using new technologies that can replace conventional fossil fuels.
 
Advanced fuels is a term used to describe a variety of carbon cutting fuels including the next generation of biofuels, hydrogen, synthetic fuels made in high-tech facilities and methane harvested from effluent and rotting food waste.
 
The government is looking to hear the views of industry experts, environmental groups and other interested parties on the future of advanced fuels.
 
Transport Minister, Baroness Kramer, said: "Over a fifth of UK carbon emissions come from transport. That’s why it’s crucial we develop sustainable low-carbon fuels so that we can keep Britain moving while meeting our emissions targets...
 
"We are asking for evidence on what this high-tech sector can do to decarbonise transport and create new, green jobs."
 
Baroness Kramer made the announcement during a visit to Future Blends, an innovative start-up in Oxfordshire that is developing technology to turn agricultural and forestry waste into transport fuel. The government says it is looking at whether such innovative processes can help reduce carbon emissions and support the growth of a high-tech, highly-skilled industry. These technologies could also help to reduce reliance on expensive energy imports.
 
Earlier this year the government announced a £25 million competition to develop demonstration plants to produce advanced transport fuels. This new initiative is looking for evidence on how to build on this competition and develop the sector further. It will seek views on what technologies are out there, what benefits they could bring and what role, if any, government should have in their development.
 
The DfT will be running a general stakeholder event to encourage debate around these issues and gather a broader range of responses. The event will take place from 10:30-12:30 on Wednesday 15 January at Great Minster House. (More information - see 4 Dec newsletter.)
 
The LowCVP has held a workshop on the call for evidence asw part of opportunities for stakeholders to provide evidence.
 
The call for evidence is the first stage in a consultation that will help shape future government policies.
The call will be open for public comment for 10 weeks from 12 December.

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