Support for this week’s launch of the Department for Transport’s call for ideas to create a low-carbon fuels strategy, has been confirmed by the downstream oil trade association UKPIA .
The organisation supports the need for a comprehensive strategy on low-carbon fuels that can give a clear, positive signal for investment in such fuels. It believes they offer the potential for early decarbonisation of existing vehicles and will be essential to meet Net Zero by 2050.
UKPIA says low-carbon fuels have already contributed to reduced emissions in the UK with the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation mandating biofuels be blended into road fuels that reduced overall emissions equivalent to over two million cars in 2019. The introduction of E10 petrol last September in Great Britain is expected to reduce emissions equivalent to an additional 350 thousand cars being taken off the road.
Dr Andrew Roberts, UKPIA’s director of Downstream Policy, said: “UKPIA welcomes the call for ideas on low-carbon fuels. This announcement is the surest sign yet that this government knows it will need all technologies to meet the monumental challenge of decarbonising transport in line with Net Zero.
”We believe that investing now in low-carbon fuels is a no-regret option for policymakers looking to reduce emissions for all transport modes given their proven ability to decarbonise existing fleets.”
He said there were challenges ahead, but he trusted that the strategy, which follows the ’Call for Ideas’ would be able to create a policy framework that is truly technology-neutral, rewards investments that can reduce carbon across their lifetime, and can allow the UK to become a world leader in low-carbon fuel production.”
Secretary of State for Transport Grant Schapps launched the call for ideas on Monday, calling on industry and stakeholders to help shape the low-carbon fuels (LCFs) strategy. He said LCFs had been instrumental in reducing the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions for more than a decade; that transport had a huge role to play in achieving net zero, and greener fuels were critical to that transition.
Schapps added that the continued adoption of low-carbon fuels would complement the shift towards public transport, active travel and electric vehicles, but warned that “we must be careful to preserve robust sustainability standards, so that low-carbon fuel production brings clear benefits, without creating any further environmental problems”.
Those wishing to respond have until 11.45 on April 3, 2022 and should email LCFstrategy@dft.gov.uk; or write to Department for Transport, Low Carbon Fuels Division, Great Minster House, 33 Horseferry Road, London, SW1P 4DR.
UKPIA represents eight refining and marketing companies that operate the six major oil refineries in the UK and source over 85% of the transport fuels used. UKPIA members also own around 1,250 of the UK’s 8,000+ filling stations. UKPIA’s associate membership comprises a wide range of companies - from heating fuel supply and LNG imports, renewable and sustainable fuel producers, to terminals and pipelines - all providing a range of essential services across the industr
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