Home > Press releases > 2008 > Review of biofuels welcome, but RTFO must be put on hold

Making life better for people by inspiring solutions to environmental problems

2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994

Review of biofuels welcome, but RTFO must be put on hold

Feb 21 2008

Friends of the Earth welcomed the DfT's review of the environmental impact of biofuels, but warned that the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) - due to come into force on April 15^th - should be put on hold. The RTFO will require all petrol sold in the UK to contain a percentage of biofuels in order to meet EU targets to increase the use of alternative fuels for road transport.

A growing number of academics, institutions and non-government organisations are calling for the EU to drop its 10 per cent target for biofuels. There are major concerns that biofuels may do more harm to the climate than good. Recent studies have shown that the carbon savings from biofuels are often negligible and that the expansion of biofuel production is leading to rainforest destruction, rising food prices and human rights violations.

Kenneth Richter, Friends of the Earth biofuels campaigner said:

"Ruth Kelly is right to raise concerns about biofuels and launch this review into their environmental impact. There is growing evidence that the carbon savings from biofuels are negligible. And that expansion of biofuel production is driving up food prices, fuelling the destruction of rainforest and resulting in human rights violations. Friends of the Earth hopes that the Government will now put the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation on hold and demand a moratorium on EU biofuel targets. The real solution to Europe's rising transport emissions is better public transport, more provision for cyclists and higher standards for fuel efficiency in new cars."