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14/01/2008
NFU backs 'balanced' Royal Society report on biofuels
The NFU has given its backing to the conclusions of a Royal Society report on sustainable biofuels.
The report, published today Monday, calls on the Government to put policies in place that will ensure biofuels make the maximum contribution of which they are capable to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and that they do not cause new environmental or social problems.
Commenting on the report NFU President Kendall said: "This is a balanced and objective assessment of the potential of biofuels to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and provides a sound basis for further debate on this important subject.
"Transport is responsible for a massive 25 per cent of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions, and biofuels are at present the only game in town as a renewable alternative to fossil fuels for cars, lorries, and domestic air travel. That is why it is so important the technology is developed, and we unreservedly support the report's recommendations that the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation should be extended to 20 years, in order to stimulate the necessary long-term investment, and that it should be under-pinned by a greater commitment to research and development.
"The NFU has actively participated in discussions with government to link the RTFO to the extent to which particular types of biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while minimising any knock-on impacts through sustainability protocols.
"We do not regard biofuels as a climate change "silver bullet" any more than the authors of this report do. However, the report recognises that the technology does have huge potential which will only be realised if we commit to it now and then focus our efforts on maximising its climate change benefits, and minimising any downsides.
"The alternative, which some environmentalists have been promoting, of writing biofuels off because of issues that are essentially short-term and capable of being overcome, would deny us a vital weapon in the battle against climate change."
The report, published today Monday, calls on the Government to put policies in place that will ensure biofuels make the maximum contribution of which they are capable to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and that they do not cause new environmental or social problems.
Commenting on the report NFU President Kendall said: "This is a balanced and objective assessment of the potential of biofuels to tackle greenhouse gas emissions and provides a sound basis for further debate on this important subject.
"Transport is responsible for a massive 25 per cent of the UK's greenhouse gas emissions, and biofuels are at present the only game in town as a renewable alternative to fossil fuels for cars, lorries, and domestic air travel. That is why it is so important the technology is developed, and we unreservedly support the report's recommendations that the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation should be extended to 20 years, in order to stimulate the necessary long-term investment, and that it should be under-pinned by a greater commitment to research and development.
"The NFU has actively participated in discussions with government to link the RTFO to the extent to which particular types of biofuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while minimising any knock-on impacts through sustainability protocols.
"We do not regard biofuels as a climate change "silver bullet" any more than the authors of this report do. However, the report recognises that the technology does have huge potential which will only be realised if we commit to it now and then focus our efforts on maximising its climate change benefits, and minimising any downsides.
"The alternative, which some environmentalists have been promoting, of writing biofuels off because of issues that are essentially short-term and capable of being overcome, would deny us a vital weapon in the battle against climate change."
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