The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation is a requirement for transport fuel suppliers in the UK, setting out minimum targets for the percentage of road vehicle fuel that is derived from renewable sources. The original Obligation was introduced in 2005 and came into power in 2008, setting an initial target of 5% renewables for road vehicle fuel by 2010. Amendments have since been made to increase this obligation.
All companies supplying 450,000 litres of road vehicle fuel or more in any given obligation year are required to register under the RTFO. Matthew Stone, Renovare Fuels’ Chairman, states that Renovare Fuels is fully aligned with RTFO and government policy, without requiring any support from the Feed-In Tariff.
Renovare Fuels has developed technologies for the recycling of mass and heat flows to generate viable alternative fuels. The company also recycles its own waste heat streams to power all auxiliary electrical equipment, with any surplus power sold back to the electrical grid.
Government Guidance
The UK government has issued a series of documents providing guidance to all companies involved in supplying biofuels, including suppliers and independent verifiers. This guidance is divided into three parts for clarity.
The first part – Process Guidance – provides information on how both renewable transport fuel and fossil fuel suppliers should comply with the order, as well as offering practical instructions detailing how required information should be submitted. This includes details of obligations on certain suppliers of fuel, how to apply for and maintain an account, how to apply for certification, and information regarding penalties for non-compliance.
The second part contains Carbon and Sustainability Guidance, which focuses on how to demonstrate compliance with land use and greenhouse gas regulations; reporting data; wastes and residues; mass balance rules; and biofuel cultivation regional emissions.
Part three contains Guidance for Verifiers, including planning and risk assessment; the requirements and purpose of verification; reporting and assurance statements; and advice on how to develop an assurance strategy.
A carbon calculator is also provided to facilitate assessment of greenhouse gas emissions savings from any given fuel batch. More information about the carbon calculator can be found in the embedded short video.
RTFO Amendments
In 2016, the UK government made a long-term commitment to the increased use of renewable liquid fuels under the RTFO. The following year, this commitment was reaffirmed with specific focus on electric and hybrid vehicles over combustion engines.
In 2018, the legislation covered by the RTFO was amended. The government now obliges all major fuel suppliers in the UK to increase their sustainable biofuel supply to 10.64% minimum volume by 2020, from 2018 levels of 4.99%, and to increase to 10.96% volume by 2032.
There has also been an additional target added in relation to the supply of development fuels, which include biofuels derived from waste and several other types of fuels of non-biological origin. This target was initially set for a volume of 0.11% by 2019 but will increase steadily to reach a target of 3.2% by 2032.
Voluntary Sustainability Schemes
The government has also introduced voluntary sustainability schemes, through which companies can demonstrate their supply of biofuel feedstocks have been produced in line with recognised sustainability criteria. Recognition from one of these voluntary schemes provides evidence that all three sustainability criteria have been met, which can be used as proof of compliance.
The infographic attachment contains some of the key facts and figures for road transport emissions in the UK.