RFA reports on UK's second year performance of transport biofuels delivered to UK market
Thu 15 July 2010
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The RFA reports that almost 1.6 billion litres of biofuels has been delivered to the UK market in the last year, accounting for 3.33% of the total of the UK’s road transport fuel exceeding the Government’s target of 3.25%. This resulted in significant carbon savings of 51% compared to petrol and diesel. The news was presented by Nick Goodall at the LowCVP's Twickenham conference.
The RFA says that the savings are roughly equivalent to taking half a million vehicles off the road, or making Edinburgh, Cardiff and Belfast car free. The carbon figures reflect the directly measurable savings biofuels offer but do not take into account the potential impact from indirect land use change (ILUC).
The European Commission is due to report by the end of this year on how ILUC should be addressed for meeting renewable fuel targets. Against this success story, the UK’s renewable fuels regulator has spoken of its disappointment at some energy companies failing to take significant steps towards sourcing biofuels sustainably.
Nick Goodall, the Agency’s CEO, said: “The volume target has been met which is welcome news. But this is about sustainable carbon reduction. The leading suppliers have demonstrated that it is possible to secure sustainable biofuels in volume. Others have fallen well short.” The Agency maps performance against three sustainability targets; data collection, greenhouse gas savings and performance against sustainability standards.
Mandatory carbon and sustainability performance requirements will be introduced with the implementation of the European Union’s Renewable Energy Directive (RED).
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