UK government needs to ramp up efforts to bring renewable transport fuels into the mainstream, according to a report 'Policy strengthening required to meet future carbon budgets', published yesterday (15 July 2014) by the Committee on Climate Change (CCC).
"Industry needs certainty to 2020 and beyond to sustain investment [in low-carbon fuels]," comments REA chief executive Dr Nina Skorupska." 2030 renewables targets are the clearest way to achieve this."
Skorupska asserts that any government will need new fuel capacity to power electric and hybrid vehicles, and adds that this must come from renewable, low-carbon sources – such as biomass, solar, wind and marine renewables – if these vehicles are to contribute to mitigating climate change.
"The carbon in the power supply is only one part of the problem. Government must accelerate the roll-out of existing solutions for low carbon driving and heating, such as biodiesel and bioethanol in our fuel tanks, and biomass boilers in our homes, offices and factories," she insists.
"Biogas from anaerobic digestion, which prevents methane emissions from farms and landfill, also has a key role to play in decarbonising power, heating and transport."
CCC policy recommendations include:
Push for stretching EU targets for emissions of new cars and vans for 2030
Act to set out the future direction of the RTFO (Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation)
A partnership between government and stakeholders to define the outlook for low carbon fuels
Greater clarity with regard to the role of biofuels
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