To meet with the renewable energy targets set by EU for 2020 the UK has put in place a number of provisions for the transport sector. The majority of the policies proposed support the uptake of biofuels as a suitable source. The long term options for meeting with the EU directive are: * Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO): the RTFO requires fossil fuel suppliers to commit to supply a percentage of their fuels for road transport from a renewable source. It is expected to commit to 5% by volume by 2013/14. * Renewable Energy Directive (RED): The RED target is set at 10% energy from renewable resources by 2020; this is in addition to the overall target. * Fuel Quality Directive: this directive states that the transport sector must provide a 6% drop in 'greenhouse gas intensity' of fuels by 2020.'In 2009, biofuels made up 2.9% of total petrol and diesel sales in the UK, with the majority of this being accounted for by biodiesel.' - Developing options for renewable transport.Biofuels were proposed by the EU as a solution to combat climate change and greenhouse gas emissions. In 2003 the EU came to an agreement with farmers to set aside land, and the Biofuel Directive was proposed. However, five years down the line there are now concerns as to whether or not the proposals are as environmentally friendly as originally thought. The Gallagher Review, 2008, was produced by the independent UK Renewable Fuels Agency in response to the UK Government 'Renewable Energy Directive'. Major points of concern are the use of agricultural land for the production of biofuels; contributing to the rising prices of food and deforestation. The Review investigates the areas used to produce biofuel, the rise in fuel prices and the predicted growth in future population, and how this will contribute to the production of fuel and food. It goes on to conclude that 'a genuinely sustainable industry provided that robust, comprehensive and mandatory sustainability standards are developed and implemented.' It would seem that the Governments proposed policies to meet with the EU's 2020 directive will have to pay close consideration to the Gallagher Review to prevent further harm being caused to the environment. Aside from biofuels there are other options to reduce emission by 2020, these include: * Fuel efficiency improvement: with improved technology it is possible that fuel efficiency improvements can help meet with the targets set by the EU. Fuel management systems for business, such as fuel cards from www.tankaart.be, are helping to monitor and control not only the consumption of fuel but the costs. * Electric vehicle take-up: new vehicle sales of electronic cars and vans are expected to contribute to 16% of new vehicle sales by 2020. However, to meet with such targets is largely dependent on Government support both financially and logistically, in the form of charging power points. * Reduction in car miles: with the introduction of 'smart travel' policies it is hoped that families and businesses can reduce their number of miles by 5%. This will contribute considerably to the reduction of vehicle fuel pollution. * More efficient driving practises: 'eco-driving' is a new term coined in regards to better driving practises, such as driving at an optimum speed so as not to waste fuel. This could reduce fuel consumption by around 0.3% for cars and vans and 4% for HGVs by 2020. * Enforce speed limits: by enforcing speed limits on the motorway this could reduce fuel consumption by around 2%.It is clear from the findings of the Gallagher Review that the UK Government is going to have to take a more holistic approach to reducing the vehicle fuel consumption by 2020. Biofuels, although it looks like the easy fix, may not be a sustainable or environmentally friendly as originally thought. The reduction of fuel consumption by 2020 is also largely dependent on the enforcement of policies set by the Government on the general public. It will require widespread support, educational resources and officials dedicated to the implementation.
