A consultation proposing altering the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) for greater carbon savings by revised renewable targets, recycled carbon and non-biological fuel amounts, and its role in maritime, has been launched.
The consultation document by Department for Transport proposes options to amend the RTFO in order to increase the carbon savings made.
Savings would be made by:
- Increasing the RTFO main obligation to supply renewable fuel by 2.5%.
- Expanding the RTFO to:
- reward recycled carbon fuels, which are produced from fossil wastes that cannot be avoided, reused or recycled
- be more flexible in rewarding renewable fuels of non-biological origin
- Updating the sustainability criteria applicable to renewable fuels.
The consultation also revises the role RTFO will have in maritime shipping by:
- Supporting fuels with the highest potential to deliver greenhouse gas savings in maritime industry.
- Requiring that eligible maritime fuels be derived from renewable energy.
In 2019, the use of low carbon fuel supplied under the RTFO is reported to have saved almost 5.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions – the equivalent of taking 2.5 million
combustion engine-powered cars off the road.
According to the government, the transport sector is particularly challenging to decarbonise, with factors including its current reliance on carbon-intensive liquid fuels as well as an increasing demand for transport services.
The transport sector now accounts for the greatest share of UK greenhouse gas emissions, contributing 27% of UK domestic emissions in 2019.
This consultation closes at
More information about this consultation and how to take part is available on the government website.
