Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent progress his Department has made in increasing the use of renewable energy in transport.

The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) is the UK’s primary mechanism for meeting our targets for renewable energy in transport. In October the Department established a Transport Energy Taskforce made up of experts from industry and Non-Government Organisations to examine options to meet our renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Under the RTFO scheme the volume of biofuel supplied in the UK increased from 2.7 per cent of fuel supplied in its first year (2008/09) to 3.46 per cent in 2013/14. Over this period average greenhouse savings of biofuels supplied relative to petrol and diesel increased from 46 per cent to 69 per cent (without taking account of emissions from indirect land use change). We introduced additional incentives for waste-derived biofuels in 2011.

We are also seeking to encourage the development of advanced biofuels and launched a demonstration plant competition on the 10th of December. The competition will provide up to £25 million of capital funding, supported by significant private sector investment. With the UK’s world class research capabilities, we have the potential to become a global player in the advanced biofuels market.