Action in the UK - Renewable fuels and materials
Renewable fuels and materials have an important role to play in delivering the UK’s climate change objectives.
Latest
- On 16 July the Commission published a consultation on requirements for a sustainability scheme for energy uses of biomass. The consultation is open until 30 September.
- Consultation on the requirements for a sustainability scheme for energy uses of biomass (European Commission website)
- The Department For Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) launched a consultation on the UK Renewable Energy Strategy on 26 June
- Research into sustainability impacts of biofuels (14 April 2008)
Strategy for non-food crops and uses
The non-food crops and uses strategy provides a framework for the sustainable and competitive development of renewable materials and fuels. The Government response to the two year progress report on the Strategy provides a re-focused action plan for developing the strategy up to the end of 2009.
- Strategy for non-food crops and uses
- Government response to the 2 year progress report on strategy for non-food crops and uses (PDF 600 KB)
Biomass
Government published the UK Biomass Strategy in May 2007. The strategy draws on detailed work to evaluate the role biomass can play in helping to meet our future energy needs in a sustainable way.
The following supporting papers were used to inform development of the strategy:
- Economic and carbon / energy analyses of bioenergy sources (BERR website)
- Report on distribution of bioenergy crops in the UK (PDF 2.2 MB - large file)
- Anaerobic digestion (PDF 150 KB)
- Renewable heat initial business case (BERR website)
- Renewable heat support mechanisms (BERR website)
- Government's response to the Biomass Task Force report (PDF 600 KB).
- 1-year on report: Government’s response to the Biomass Task Force report (PDF 130 KB)
- Bioenergy (for heat , electricity and transport biofuels);
- Renewable construction materials;
- Renewable chemicals (including monomers, polymers and oils);
- Plant based pharmaceuticals, nutriceuticals and bio actives.
- Information on transport biofuels
- Defra's information for growers of energy crops
- Strategy for non-food crops and uses and two year progress report
Biofuels
Government support for biofuels should be directed at those that offer the most cost-effective greenhouse gas savings, subject to sustainability. Defra has recently produced and commissoned research as a contribution to the debate on the wider sustainability impacts of biofuels.
Renewable heat
Defra and the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) jointly commissioned Ernst and Young to undertake analyses to assess the business case for providing longer-term support for renewable heat. The resulting report Renewable heat initial business case provides an evaluation of the issues that affect the cost and uptake of biomass heat.
Based on the outcomes of the Renewable heat initial business case, Ernst & Young produced a study on potential mechanisms to support the development of renewable heat. The views expressed in the study are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Government. The study contributes to open debate on the topic:
Biomass task force
Phil Woolas announced the publication of the 1-year on report on the Government’s response to the Biomass Task Force report at the REA Conference on 20 September 2007. The 1-year on report summarises the progress made on the implementation of the actions set out in the Government's response to the Biomass Task Force Report
These previously separate work streams have now been brought together under a single integrated renewable fuels and materials programme. The Renewable Fuels and Materials Programme will focus on the sustainable development of:
Related information
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Page last modified: 29 July 2008
Page published: 23 May 2007