Biofuels and the UK Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO)

Biofuels, as part of a package of measures within the transport sector, represent a significant opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address security of fuel supply concerns. Their introduction can also help support rural economies and create wealth.

Research conducted through the LowCVP, and others, illustrates that the greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of different biofuels vary significantly depending on the system of cultivation, processing and transportation of biofuel feedstock but in most cases are better than the fossil alternatives.

The introduction of biofuels can, however, lead to unintended negative environmental and social impacts such as deforestation and the loss of biodiversity. The LowCVP, on behalf of the Department for Transport, has been leading the development of carbon and sustainability reporting requirements proposed under the UK Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) which begins in April 2008. The RTFO aims to encourage the supply of sustainable biofuels with good greenhouse gas savings into the UK. This Guidance will be used by suppliers to report to the Renewable Fuels Agency, the Administator of the RTFO.

UK RTFO IFEU + Oko Germany MEO Roundtable Sustainable Biofuels Proposal for CEN standard Netherlands Global Bioenergy Partnership California Low Carbon Fuel Standard Fuel Quality Directive Renewable Energy Directive Feedstock Standards

The Renewable Fuels Agency

The RFA has now been established and further information on the organisation can be found at http://www.dft.gov.uk/rfa/.

The call for evidence for the Gallagher Review on the indirect effects of biofuels closed on April 14th 2008 - see the RFA website for details.

Carbon and Sustainability Reporting under the UK RTFO

The guidelines for reporting on the greenhouse gas savings and sustainability of biofuel were issued by the RFA on 11 January 2008. A summary and the full guidance can be found by clicking www.dft.gov.uk/rfa/reportsandpublications/carbonandsustainabilityguidance.cfm

The Government consulted on the detail of the proposed carbon and sustainability reporting requirements which will underpin the RTFO. This second consultation closed on 13 September, and details are available at http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/environment/rtfo/sumresponrtfo

European and International activities on biofuel sustainability

There are a growing number of initiatives focused around the sustainability of biofuels. The document attached is updated on a quarterly basis and is intended to provide an overview of these activties. It covers other national and international initiatives focussed on biofuels and/or their feedstocks (the UK info can be found from the RFA links above). Who is doing what?

Proposals from the European Commission that address biofuel sustainablity in the Renewable Energy Directive have led to a 'standstill' in the Netherlands and Germany who were to introduce a reporting scheme and a mandatory scheme respectively. Further information on the proposed schemes can be found in the document above.

The most recent development (April 08) in this area is the development of a European sustainability standards that will be undertaken under the auspices of CEN, the European stanadardisation body. Further information can be found here.

One international initiative, The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels, is aiming to develop global consensus on a sustainability standards. More information can be found on their website: http://cgse.epfl.ch/page65660.html 

Other LowCVP Biofuels Activities

LowCVP has undertaken a considerable programme of cutting-edge work in the area of biofuels including activities to:

  • Identify environmental impacts of biofuels production & UK capacity to supply biofuels from indigenous sources
  • Achieve consensus amongst most leading research groups on well-to-wheel greenhouse gas (GHG) calculation boundaries and methods demonstrated through detailed examination of the wheat to ethanol process
  • Develop practical systems for quantifying and reporting upon the GHG savings from supplied fuels
  • Define practical voluntary standards for environmental assurance of biofuels
  • Examine the feasibility and manage the development of practical systems for carbon certification and sustainability (C&S) assurance within the RTFO.

These documents and other relevant information can be found by clicking here. Alternatively, a selection can be downloaded from the links below: