Biofuel targets will stay

A review of the environmental impact of bio-fuels by the Renewable Fuels Agency warns current targets for the introduction of biofuels could result in an increase in emissions and global poverty, but in spite of this Britain will continue to expand the use of bio-fuels in petrol and diesel for transport.

The governemnt maintains that bio-fuels could still prove beneficial, but has announced that their introduction would be slowed down until the evidence was clearer about their wider environmental and social effects.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association said: “The term bio-fuel is a catch-all and the report makes a distinction between the first-generation fuel that is causing problems by competing with food crops and the more environmentally-beneficial second-generation fuels.”

“Second-generation biofuels”, which are in an early stage of development, are produced by using the non-food parts of current crops, such as the stems, leaves and husks that are left behind once the food crop has been extracted. There is experimental work being carried out in the development of fuels derived from algae, which may provide a plentiful and entirely sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

All petrol and diesel in Britain has to now contain 2.5% of biofuels, a stepping stone towards a 2010 target of 5%. The EU is contemplating a 10% target by 2010.

Related article:
Cut bio-fuel targets to feed the poor

The ETA is a not-for-profit ethical organisation providing motorists with carbon-neutral breakdown cover and insurance products. As well as encouraging responsible driving to reduce carbon, the ETA campaigns for sustainable transport.