Wales in the dark about biofuels in petrol

Nine out of ten people in Wales have no idea that biofuels will be added to their petrol from today, according to the first ever public attitudes survey on the controversial alternative fuels. The research also revealed that, of those who knew what biofuels were, more than two thirds would prefer governments to curb emissions by either making cars greener, improving public transport or introducing safer cycle routes.

The YouGov survey, commissioned by Friends of the Earth, found that 75% of people in Wales agree that European governments should make vehicle manufacturers double the fuel efficiency of new cars by 2020 in order to tackle climate change. More than two thirds also think the Government is not doing enough to improve public transport.

The Government's Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation, brought in to meet EU regulations, means all petrol sold in the UK will have to include at least 2.5 per cent biofuels - made from crops - from today (Tuesday 15 April). But although the move aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut carbon emissions, new scientific evidence shows that the growth in biofuels could actually increase greenhouse gas emissions through land conversion and greater use of chemical fertilisers.

Worryingly, 71% of those surveyed by Friends of the Earth were unaware that the growth in biofuels is contributing to the destruction of rainforest.

Friends of the Earth Cymru is calling on the EU to scrap its biofuels targets and tackle transport pollution by strengthening proposals for mandatory emissions limits on new cars instead. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will vote on both options later this year.

Friends of the Earth Cymru transport campaigner, Neil Crumpton, said:

"This survey shows just how few people realise that the increasing use of biofuels is contributing to rainforest destruction, pushing up food prices and doing little to reduce carbon emissions. People in Wales want to see green transport solutions that make a positive difference to their lives - like better public transport and smarter cars that burn less fuel.

"MEPs in Wales have a chance to put transport policy on the right track when they vote on new European laws this summer. They should ditch EU biofuels targets and insist that vehicle manufacturers double the fuel efficiency on new cars instead."

Notes

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,183 adults from Great Britain; 114 from Wales. Fieldwork was undertaken between 3 - 7 April 2008. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

1. The survey results for the Wales:
   
   • When asked whether they thought European Governments should make vehicle manufacturers double the fuel efficiency on new cars by 2020, 75 per cent of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed
   • Overall 71 per cent think the Government is not doing enough to improve public transport
   • When asked, "are you aware that the growth in biofuels is contributing to deforestation in countries like Indonesia?" only 29 per cent of respondents answered yes
   • 93% of people in Wales do not know that biofuels are going to be added to their petrol from 15 April when the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation comes into force
   • Of the 64 respondents who knew what biofuels were, only about one in four (26 per cent) thought they were the best way for Government to reduce emissions from road transport.
   
   
2. Recent research has suggested that the carbon dioxide emissions released when land is converted to grow biofuels could take centuries to pay back. Globally the push for biofuels is resulting in increased pressure on the worlds remaining rain forests which hold huge stores of carbon.
   www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2008/February/07020802.asp
   
3. Nobel prize-winning chemist Paul Crutzen has calculated that using chemical fertilisers to grow biofuel crops can release twice the amount of the potent greenhouse gas nitrous oxide (N2O) than previously thought.
   www.rsc.org/chemistryworld/News/2007/September/21090701.asp
   
4. There are increasing calls for Government caution on biofuels, The King Review of Low Carbon Cars, commissioned by the UK Government and published on 12 March 2008, urged the EU to shift the focus of its policy from biofuels to cleaner automotive technology. It also recommended adopting a target of 100g of carbon dioxide emissions for each kilometre a car travels. Friends of the Earth is calling for European governments to go even further and make vehicle manufacturers double the average fuel efficiency on new cars by 2020 - something supported by the vast majority of people in our survey released today.
   
5. The EU has recently weakened its plans to reduce average emissions from new cars sold in the EU to no more than 120g per kilometre by 2012 in the wake of lobbying from companies like Porsche. As well as relaxing the limit to 130 g/km it has not proposed any longer term targets. Car manufacturers are calling for the target to be weakened still further and, according to reports, Porsche is considering legal action - see www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2007/09/14/afx4117266.html for further information.