Biofuels

The International Energy Agency has produced a report which examines second generation biofuel technologies produced from crop and forest residues and from non-food energy crops.

Transport Minister Andrew Adonis has set out plans to take a more cautious approach to biofuels, as part of the Government's response to concerns about the indirect environmental and social impacts of producing them.

The government should stop funding biofuels and use the money to halt the destruction of rainforests and peatland instead, a think tank has said.

Lotus Engineering is to conduct a research study into engine efficiency when utilising sustainable second and third generation biofuels.

Transport Secretary, Ruth Kelly, and Environment Secretary, Hilary Benn, today set out a new approach to biofuels based on recommendations from the Gallagher review, including that the introduction of biofuels in the UK should be slowed down to take into account emerging scientific evidence about their sustainability.

The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) comes into force today (15 April), requiring 2.5% of all road fuels sold to come from biofuels, rising to 5% by 2010. It’s claimed that this will save 2.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide by 2010 and is part of a package of measures being taken to reduce the impact of transport on the environment – although some critics claim that biofuels can cause more harm than good, and so a review into biofuels is also underway.

Peugeot’s new 308, along with all Peugeot HDi diesels made since 1998, can run without modification on a 30 per cent blend of biodiesel with mineral diesel, known as B30. Peugeot claims that operation on this fuel leads to around 20 per cent further reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions, bringing the net emissions from the Peugeot 308 to below 100g CO2/km.

Radio Taxis Group Limited, the UK’s largest black cab operators, has taken steps to cut carbon dioxide emissions across its 3,000 strong black cab fleet. At a launch ceremony with London Mayor Ken Livingstone, the company announced that it is building on its ’every journey is CarbonNeutral®’ promise with the introduction of a new high performance 30 per cent sustainable biodiesel blend for its drivers.

When the Government scrapped tax on home biofuel production, little did they realise that the average consumer would stand to benefit by creating biodiesel in their own back garden for as little as 9p per litre - 90% lower than current average pump prices!

Transport Secretary Douglas Alexander has launched a consultation on an environmental reporting system for sustainable biofuels and a package of measures to complement the reporting requirement.