Public Interest Research Centre - PIRC

It's worth keeping an eye on the Environmental Audit Committee's homepage.  They regularly produce interesting reports on topical environmental issues, and a quick scan through some of the things they've been taking a look at - post-Kyoto frameworks for reducing emissions, reducing carbon emissions from UK business, personal carbon allowances, a general appraisal of the voluntary carbon offset market  - throws up a lot of useful reading material. 

The EAC's most recent publication, available today from their website has some interesting, and quite critical things to say, about the government's commitment to biofuels. A couple of the take-home points -

"biofuels are unlikely to improve fuel security as they largely rely on fossil fuels for their production;"

And 

"a large biofuel industry based on current technology is likely to increase food prices and could damage food security in developing countries." 

We reckon biofuels on any large scale - as a substantial way of addressing emissions from transport - are not worth the time, effort and repercussions. The EAC seem to agree: "biofuels are generally an expensive and ineffective way to cut greenhouse gas emissions when compared to other policies. Emissions from road transport can be cut cost-effectively, and with lower environmental risk, by implementing a range of other policies."

Britain currently has a target for 5% biofuels in petrol and diesel by 2010, through its Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), which is due to kick in later this spring.

I wonder if other chunks of Government are listening to the EAC...

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