Biofuel targets to clean up UK transport

The use of renewable fuels in Britain’s transport sector will double over the next 15 years as a result of tough biofuel targets that came into effect last month.

The UK government said owners of transport fuel that supply at least 450,000 litres a year must ensure the mix is a minimum of 12.4% biofuel by 2032, up from the 4.75% required today.

It is hoped the changes will cut the sector’s reliance on imported diesel, and comes after £22m of government funding was made available for the development of waste-based low-carbon fuels.

“We are committed to making the sector as sustainable as possible,” said transport minister Jesse Norman.

“The changes will deliver emissions savings equal to taking hundreds of thousands of cars off the road.”

Reforms to the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) will increase the biofuel volume target from 4.75% to 9.75% in 2020, before reaching 12.4% in 2032.

The new RTFO will contribute a third of the total savings from transport for the UK’s carbon budget, with the sector also being challenged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 6% by 2020.

Image credit: iStock