REA says UK has potential for big rise in biofuels production
Monday 26 October 2009
There is a major opportunity to increase production of biofuels in the UK in order to deliver targets set in the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive, according to a report from the Renewable Energy Association (REA).
However, Friends of the Earth has hit back at the report which highlights that at least 20% of biofuels will need to be imported from outside of the EU in order to meet the targets - which demand that 10% of all energy used in road transport must come from renewable sources by the year 2020.
This review shows that biofuels can make a major contribution, without adversely affecting the environment or the food chain
The REA produced a position paper on the UK's implementation of the Renewable Energy Directive and Fuel Quality Directive in June 2009 and asked Imperial College London to carry out a peer review in September 2009, looking at biofuel supply and demand scenario modelling.
The results of the two papers were announced last week at a briefing at Chatham House, London.
The papers show that there is potential for bioethanol production in the UK to rise by 20 times its current level by 2020, and biodiesel to rise by three times, creating thousands of green jobs.
It is suggested that these fuels could be delivered through domestic production, using EU grown feedstocks without increasing the overall land area used for arable crops in the European Union.
Imports
However, the reports show that there will be a need for imports of sustainable feedstock and finished biofuels to make up the full UK obligation under the EU's Renewable Energy Directive.
The REA conducted a modelling exercise to find out exactly where these fuels could come from, and the role of UK and EU producers. The results showed that, while new technologies such as electric vehicles and other fuels such as biogas will undoubtedly make a contribution, the vast majority of the renewable transport fuel will come from traditionally produced biofuels.
Clare Wenner, head of renewable transport at the REA, said: "Imperial College London has verified the results which show that these fuels can be produced in a sustainable way. With the right legislative framework, including the implementation of environmental rules under the Directive, it will be possible to limit indirect land use effects.
"This review shows that biofuels can make a major contribution, without adversely affecting the environment or the food chain. However, we cannot afford to hang around if we are going to meet these targets by 2020, and make an effective contribution to combating climate change. There has been too much delay already."
Environmental impact
Friends of the Earth campaigners have criticised the need for a reliance on sourcing biofuels from outside of the EU.
Commenting on the findings of the reports, Friends of the Earth's biofuels campaigner, Kenneth Richter, said: "The biofuel industry has finally admitted that if the UK is to meet its high targets for biofuels virtually all biodiesel for use in diesel cars will have to be imported from overseas. But clearing land to grow crops like soy and oil palm for this fuel is already having a devastating impact on the world's forests and causing carbon emissions.
"Increasing bioethanol production here in Britain for use in our petrol is expensive - the main reason only eight per cent of biofuels were produced here last year - and the intensification of agriculture needed would come with serious environmental consequences.
"Biofuels are ineffective at tackling climate change. The Government should be investing in the solutions we know will cut carbon emissions, like smarter cars that use less fuel and incentives to get people walking, cycling, and using public transport."
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