More action on green fuel is needed
8th March 2007
Alan Whitehead yesterday urged the government to look seriously at how they will meet the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) of 5% of fuel from green sources by 2008. Current indicators suggest that the government may fall short of their target unless firmer measures are taken and for this reason Dr Whitehead asked the Transport Minister what action he was planning on taking to ensure that this was not the case. He also pressed him to explain what further measures and financial incentives would be implemented to encourage the greater use of biofuels both in advance of, and during, the lifetime of the RTFO.
Dr Whitehead raised the issue of greener fuels at yesterday’s Parliamentary Transport Questions in the House of Commons, which came in advance of further criticism today of the government’s record on green issues by The Sustainable Development Commission.
Speaking during Transport Questions:
Dr. Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test) (Lab):. [125110]
what action he plans to take to encourage greater use of biofuels in advance of the introduction of the renewable transport fuel obligation?
The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Dr. Stephen Ladyman):
The renewable transport fuel obligation is due to come into effect in April 2008, providing a significant and secure market for biofuels in the UK. In advance of that, the Government continue to support biofuels mainly through fuel duty incentives. Sales of biofuels doubled between 2005 and 2006, reaching more than 250 million litres.
Dr. Whitehead:
Is my hon. Friend aware that there has been a reversal in price differential between biodiesel and low sulphur diesel since the renewable transport fuel obligation was announced, and that it will take an increase in production of some 400 per cent. for the industry to meet the targets for 2008? Will he talk to colleagues in the Treasury to ensure both a supply and uptake of biofuels in time to ensure that those obligations can be met in 2008?
Dr. Ladyman:
I can of course assure my hon. Friend that I talk to colleagues in the Treasury on those matters. As he rightly implies, incentives are a matter for the Chancellor. I am keen to see that the RTFO is a success and that we also support small renewable manufacturers. To that end, we have just published a consultation document that specifically asked some questions to which my hon. Friend might like to contribute some answers, so that we can inform the way in which the RTFO is developed to ensure that it is a success for everybody.
Speaking after Transport Questions Dr Whitehead said:
“The government has made real and concrete commitments to tackle climate change, not least in the announcement in the Queen’s Speech to introduce a Climate Change Bill – which will make the UK the first country in the world to put into law a duty to reduce carbon emissions. However, strong action will be needed to meet the targets we have signed up to. That is why I have pressed the Minister for Transport, Stephen Ladyman, to look at how the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation will be effectively enacted – so that we can go further than 5% of fuel from renewable sources and make the kind of big reductions needed in the carbon emissions produced by our transport sector. It is clear there needs to be tangible incentives to encourage the increased use of green fuels so that we can all start travelling in a greener and more carbon friendly way.”
More information
- Full debate text is available here