Royal Society: Business should develop biofuels

The renewable transport fuel obligation (RTFO) will only succeed if it promotes the best biofuels, the Royal Society believes.

Dr Jeremy Woods of its biofuels working group said the RTFO would "backfire" if it fails to encourage the best fuels for people and the environment.

Amending the RTFO to promote the fuels with the lowest emissions by including a greenhouse reduction target would solve this problem, he suggested.

"The RTFO helps send a message to industry that it is worth their while to significantly invest in improving existing biofuels and accelerate the development of new ones," he commented.

"Without it, we would risk undermining the responsible commercial development of more efficient biofuels that could bring us and the environment the greatest benefits."