First report into biofuel sustainability

The Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) said today (28 January) in a report on the impacts of the biofuel supplied in the first year of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO).

The RFA believes it is the first regulator in the world to ‘monitor and report verified information’ on the carbon footprint and sustainability performance of biofuels.

It reveals several suppliers have failed to show the sustainability of their biofuels.

The report names and shames Morgan Stanley and Topaz as both having missed three Government performance targets.

While Chevron, Murco and Topaz failed to report any fuel meeting the RTFO’s Environmental Qualifying Standard.

The report also criticised data from businesses BP, Murco and Prax as ‘not properly assured’ meaning the RFA could not confirm the level of their compliance.

However, at the other end of the scale, ConocoPhillips, Greenergy and Mabanaft were praised for meeting all three Government targets.

ConocoPhillips and Mabanaft sourced feedstock certified to the British ‘ACCS’ sustainability standard, while Greenergy carried out an independent sustainability audit of their Brazilian sugar cane.

RFA chief executive, Nick Goodall, said: “We have seen many companies meeting the challenge of sourcing their biofuels responsibly.

“However, too many are lagging behind and dragging the overall performance down.”

Luke Walsh