Committee on Climate Change Too Cautious on Biofuels says CLA

Committee on Climate Change Too Cautious on Biofuels says CLA
2011-05-12

The CLA is "deeply disappointed" the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has failed to recognise the role of biogas in transport issues in its report, Climate Resilient Infrastructure: Preparing for a Changing Climate Today.

The report, published on 9 May, stated that "the tension between use of land for growth of biofuels, feedstocks and food" called for a "cautious approach" to using biofuels for transport. However, the CLA argued these sustainability concerns are groundless and biogas could play a major role in helping to meet UK climate change targets.

CLA President William Worsley said: "We are deeply disappointed the CCC has again failed to recognise the role for biogas in transport. Failure to act on replacing dirty diesel with gas in public transport has a detrimental effect on climate change and air quality. Farmers and land managers can help mitigate climate change by enabling biogas to displace fossil fuels."

The CLA backed the CCC's proposals that new commitments on funding for renewable heat investment will be required from 2015 onwards, and to make training and accreditation a priority to reduce installation costs.

Mr Worsley said: "The CLA has long argued for a funding stream raised by taxing those who use fossil fuels to produce heat."

He added: "CLA members have concerns about the availability and costs of renewable heat installation by Microgeneration Scheme Certificated installers. We believe any qualified plumber should be allowed to instal the apparatus, provided it has been certificated by an accredited party to qualify for the Renewable Heat Incentive."

Download the Committee on Climate Change's report Climate Resilient Infrastructure: Preparing for a Changing Climate Today .

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