UK: Brakes come on over biofuel commitment

The Government may retreat from its commitment to make all drivers use an increasing proportion of biofuel in their fuel tanks.

Ruth Kelly, the Transport Secretary, announced a study into the impact that the production of biofuels has on the environment. The Department for Transport (DfT) said that it would not support a European plan to increase the proportion of biofuel in petrol and diesel to 10 per cent by 2020 unless it could be proved that it reduced overall greenhouse gas emissions.
The DfT will maintain its Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, which requires all forecourts to provide 2.5 per cent of their fuel from biofuel sources from April 15.

Ms Kelly said: “We are not prepared to go beyond current UK target levels for biofuels until we are satisfied it can be done sustainably.”

The study will be completed by the summer and, if it finds that the effects on the environment are negative, the plan for forecourts to supply 5 per cent of their fuel from biofuel sources by 2010 could be abandoned.

The Times