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Lord Adonis
Type
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Session
Year
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Member
Primary member
Answering member
More
Adonis, Lord (15)
Legislative stage
Legislation
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To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have assessed the relative greenhouse gas emissions of palm oil and diesel fuel used in road transport; and, if so, what are the results of their assessment.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have assessed the relative greenhouse gas emissions of palm oil and diesel fuel used in road transport; and, if so, what are the results of their assessment.
Asked by
Earl of Selborne
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
22 March 2010
The Renewable Fuels Agency's lifecycle analysis compares the direct emissions of biofuels with equal quantities of fossil fuels. This analysis shows that biodiesel derived from palm oil delivers a 46 per cent carbon saving compared to fossil diesel. The carbon savings are based on common practice from specific feedstocks and processes. Current blending limits allow suppliers of fuel to blend up to 7 per cent biodiesel with fossil fuel to meet their obligation under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation.
Subjects
Biofuels; Exhaust emissions; Motor vehicles; Diesel; Palm oil
Date
22 March 2010
Reference
2814; 718 c241-2WA
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the independent Gallagher review found that biofuels have the potential to achieve approximately 338 million to 371 million tonnes of global CO2 savings a year. We have commissioned research on the emissions from different forms of biofuel production to inform future policy in this area. Biofuels will become the first agricultural commodity with mandatory European sustainability standards by 2011.
My Lords, the independent Gallagher review found that biofuels have the potential to achieve approximately 338 million to 371 million tonnes of global CO2 savings a year. We have commissioned research on the emissions from different forms of biofuel production to inform future policy in this area. Biofuels will become the first agricultural commodity with mandatory European sustainability standards by 2011.
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will review the renewable transport fuel obligation following the finding of the report commissioned by the Department for Transport that the production of biofuels will result in forests being logged or burnt down and converted to plantations.
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In doing so, I declare an interest, this time as a grower of sugar beet, which may be used as a biofuel.
Subjects
Biofuels; Forests; Production; Tree felling; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
718 c667
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, a good deal of research is taking place in this area. A research programme is in place at the moment to quantify and mitigate the impacts of indirect land-use change in respect of biofuels. The UK research is due to be completed this summer and we will publish it. It will feed into a consultation being held by the European Commission on the subject later this year. That will form part of the obligation on the European Commission to produce a report on indirect land-use change and, if appropriate, to propose a methodology to account for indirect land-use change in future.
My Lords, a good deal of research is taking place in this area. A research programme is in place at the moment to quantify and mitigate the impacts of indirect land-use change in respect of biofuels. The UK research is due to be completed this summer and we will publish it. It will feed into a consultation being held by the European Commission on the subject later this year. That will form part of the obligation on the European Commission to produce a report on indirect land-use change and, if appropriate, to propose a methodology to account for indirect land-use change in future.
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
I thank the Secretary of State for that Answer. Given that the Renewable Fuels Agency states that only 4 per cent of biofuels imported for use in the UK meet the environmental sustainability standards set by the RTFO, how can he be satisfied with the scheme?
Subjects
Biofuels; Forests; Production; Tree felling; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
718 c667-8
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, the noble Lord makes an important point about electric car production. Today, we have announced that the Leaf will be produced in the north-east. That is a decisive step forward in making the United Kingdom a manufacturing base for plug-in hybrid and electric cars. We have also recently provided £30 million of funding for a plugged-in places initiative that will identify three significant regional centres for electric charging infrastructure: London, the north-east and Milton Keynes. I launched that scheme in London a few weeks ago in a supermarket car park, so we are taking very seriously the points that the noble Lord raises. It is important that, over time, we establish an electric charging infrastructure across the country that encourages people, including those who do not have off-street parking, to buy electric and hybrid cars.
My Lords, the noble Lord makes an important point about electric car production. Today, we have announced that the Leaf will be produced in the north-east. That is a decisive step forward in making the United Kingdom a manufacturing base for plug-in hybrid and electric cars. We have also recently provided £30 million of funding for a plugged-in places initiative that will identify three significant regional centres for electric charging infrastructure: London, the north-east and Milton Keynes. I launched that scheme in London a few weeks ago in a supermarket car park, so we are taking very seriously the points that the noble Lord raises. It is important that, over time, we establish an electric charging infrastructure across the country that encourages people, including those who do not have off-street parking, to buy electric and hybrid cars.
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Addington
(Liberal Democrat)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, does the Minister agree that no matter how we produce oil, there will always be some downsides? Bearing that in mind, does he agree that encouraging the use of public transport should be seen as the major answer to transport needs in future? Furthermore, if cars are to be needed for short journeys, considering the increase in the production of electric cars which has been announced, will he ensure that all new train station car parks can charge those cars?
Subjects
Biofuels; Forests; Production; Tree felling; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
718 c668
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, I indeed agree and pay tribute to the noble Lord for his work in this area. To give an example, the Ensus biofuels from wheat plant that recently began operation in Teeside claims that it can produce a third of our current biofuel obligation under the RTFO when it is fully operational. Using British and European wheat for biofuels is a positive use of land. It encourages wheat production, which has positive co-products, including animal feed.
My Lords, I indeed agree and pay tribute to the noble Lord for his work in this area. To give an example, the Ensus biofuels from wheat plant that recently began operation in Teeside claims that it can produce a third of our current biofuel obligation under the RTFO when it is fully operational. Using British and European wheat for biofuels is a positive use of land. It encourages wheat production, which has positive co-products, including animal feed.
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Palmer
(Crossbench)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, I speak as one of the instigators of the RTFO and as a biofuel supplier and grower. Does not the Minister agree that, to meet the RTFO, all biofuels must come from truly sustainable sources, and, one hopes, from sources within the European Union?
Subjects
Biofuels; Forests; Production; Tree felling; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
718 c668
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, there are so many EU reports; I am not quite sure to which one the noble Baroness refers. If she would like to give me more precise particulars, I will be happy to follow up with her as to the publication.
I turn to palm oil, which is the particular source of biofuels at issue in the research work reported in the newspapers recently. It is important to understand that palm oil is a small proportion of biofuel production. It accounts for 10 per cent of the 1,284 million litres of biofuel used in the UK in 2008-09, and less than 4 per cent of global demand for palm oil comes from biofuels. It is not the case that all palm oil production is unsustainable, even in the terms of the research that was conducted. Research carried out by the Renewable Fuels Agency suggests that certain practices can be undertaken to limit the unwanted impacts of biofuels. Specifically to palm oil, this report highlighted that there are potentially 35 million hectares of unused land in Asia where suitable biofuel production, including palm oil production, could take place. The issue at stake is not simply the source of the biofuels but the land in question when it comes to production. Clearly, deforestation or the transfer of land from agricultural purposes to certain types of biofuel production may be undesirable, but there is plenty of marginal or unproductive land across the world which would be suitable for these forms of biofuel production.
My Lords, there are so many EU reports; I am not quite sure to which one the noble Baroness refers. If she would like to give me more precise particulars, I will be happy to follow up with her as to the publication.
I turn to palm oil, which is the particular source of biofuels at issue in the research work reported in the newspapers recently. It is important to understand that palm oil is a small proportion of biofuel production. It accounts for 10 per cent of the 1,284 million litres of biofuel used in the UK in 2008-09, and less than 4 per cent of global demand for palm oil comes from biofuels. It is not the case that all palm oil production is unsustainable, even in the terms of the research that was conducted. Research carried out by the Renewable Fuels Agency suggests that certain practices can be undertaken to limit the unwanted impacts of biofuels. Specifically to palm oil, this report highlighted that there are potentially 35 million hectares of unused land in Asia where suitable biofuel production, including palm oil production, could take place. The issue at stake is not simply the source of the biofuels but the land in question when it comes to production. Clearly, deforestation or the transfer of land from agricultural purposes to certain types of biofuel production may be undesirable, but there is plenty of marginal or unproductive land across the world which would be suitable for these forms of biofuel production.
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Asked by
Baroness Hanham
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, the E4tech report indicated that there were grave problems with biofuels and the stripping down of rainforests internationally. The EU has also produced a report which, as has been said, has not been published. Has the Secretary of State had sight of that EU report? If so, what did it say?
Subjects
Biofuels; Forests; Production; Tree felling; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
718 c669
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
My Lords, as I said in my answer to the noble Lord, Lord Taylor, it is precisely for that reason that we are conducting that research at the moment. We will ensure that the European Commission takes full account of it when determining future policy.
My Lords, as I said in my answer to the noble Lord, Lord Taylor, it is precisely for that reason that we are conducting that research at the moment. We will ensure that the European Commission takes full account of it when determining future policy.
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Asked by
Lord Dixon-Smith
(Conservative)
Type
Oral answers to questions
My Lords, the report from E4tech appears to indicate that a spectrum of biofuels fails to meet the EU’s standards for emissions reduction. Does that not reinforce the case made by my noble friend Lord Taylor for a major review of the work that the EU is promoting in this sector to ensure that we are getting value for money on the large sums that are being used for agricultural support in this area?
Subjects
Biofuels; Forests; Production; Tree felling; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
718 c668
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will review the renewable transport fuel obligation following the finding of the report commissioned by the Department for Transport that the production of biofuels will result in forests being logged or burnt down and converted to plantations.
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In doing so, I declare an interest, this time as a grower of sugar beet, which may be used as a biofuel.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he will review the renewable transport fuel obligation following the finding of the report commissioned by the Department for Transport that the production of biofuels will result in forests being logged or burnt down and converted to plantations.
My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper. In doing so, I declare an interest, this time as a grower of sugar beet, which may be used as a biofuel.
Asked by
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Oral questions - Lead
Status
Answered
Procedure
Secretary of State's questions (HL)
For answer on
18 March 2010
Answered on
18 March 2010
My Lords, the independent Gallagher review found that biofuels have the potential to achieve approximately 338 million to 371 million tonnes of global CO2 savings a year. We have commissioned research on the emissions from different forms of biofuel production to inform future policy in this area. Biofuels will become the first agricultural commodity with mandatory European sustainability standards by 2011.
Subjects
Biofuels; Forests; Production; Tree felling; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
18 March 2010
Reference
718 c667
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made by United Kingdom fuel suppliers in achieving the five per cent by volume target for biofuel content by 2013–14.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made by United Kingdom fuel suppliers in achieving the five per cent by volume target for biofuel content by 2013–14.
Asked by
Lord Dykes
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
9 March 2010
The Renewable Fuels Agency’s annual report (2008-09) records that the percentage by volume of road transport fuel from renewable sources supplied during 2008-09 was 2.7 per cent, against the 2.5 per cent target for the year.
The target level for 2009-10 is 3.25 per cent, and will rise annually in stages, reaching 5 per cent in the 2013-14 reporting year. The Renewable Fuels Agency publishes progress reports on a monthly and quarterly basis, including unverified data on volume of supply.
Subjects
Biofuels
Date
9 March 2010
Reference
2520; 718 c42-3WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are considering amending the renewable transport fuel obligation to lessen the effect of deforestation on sensitive rainforests.
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they are considering amending the renewable transport fuel obligation to lessen the effect of deforestation on sensitive rainforests.
Asked by
Lord Dykes
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
27 January 2010
The Department for Transport is currently in the process of amending the renewable transport fuel obligation to incorporate the mandatory sustainability requirements set out in the renewable energy directive. Following these changes, biofuels will only be awarded a certificate if suppliers can demonstrate that the biofuels they supply achieve at least 35 per cent greenhouse gas emissions reductions, and also that they did not either come from converting high-carbon stock land, including forests, or have other negative environmental impacts, including upon biodiversity.
Subjects
Conservation; Biofuels; Rainforests; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
27 January 2010
Reference
1371; 716 c355WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of an error in the definition of "relevant fossil fuel" in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Regulations, the 2008–09 target for biofuel use in road transport will be attained; and what the target will be for 2009–10.
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of an error in the definition of "relevant fossil fuel" in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Regulations, the 2008–09 target for biofuel use in road transport will be attained; and what the target will be for 2009–10.
Asked by
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
12 February 2009
The discrepancy concerning the definition of relevant hydrocarbon oil in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations (RTFO) Order 2007 (No. 3072) means that any fossil fuel which is blended with renewable fuel before the excise duty point is excluded from the calculation of a supplier’s obligation. The result is that less fossil fuel than was intended is taken into account in calculating suppliers’ obligations, and therefore less renewable fuel is required to be supplied than was intended.
Fossil fuel that is supplied to the consumer separately from biodiesel or bioethanol or is blended after it passes the duty point will be taken into account in calculating a supplier's obligation. It will be a matter for obligated suppliers to determine how they supply their fuels and meet their obligation under the RTFO scheme for the year 2008-09.
Any supplier of fossil fuel in the UK is subject to the obligation regardless of whether its Head Office is located within or outside the UK. A supplier can meet its obligation in three ways: through supplying biofuel; purchasing certificates from other suppliers of biofuel; or by buying out of its obligation. The 2007 RTFO order provides for the Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) to require suppliers to report volumes of fossil and biofuel supplied and this information will be used to determine a supplier's obligation and if it has been met. Provisions in the Climate Change Act 2008 provide for information to be supplied to the RFA by Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise to verify these reports. Information about how suppliers have complied with their obligation will be made available in the RFA’s reports to Government and Parliament.
The full effect of the discrepancy on the volume of biofuel supplied in the first obligation year (2008-09) will not be known until after the end of the obligation year. Following a consultation, on 28 January the Government announced our intention to introduce legislation to slow down the rate at which the obligation increases until 2013-14. A draft order was laid in Parliament on 9 February to amend the obligation levels specified in the 2007 Order and this sets a level of 3.25 per cent of total fuel supplied for 2009-10. We have proposed a higher level than the 3 per cent level proposed in the consultation and have taken into account concerns expressed by producers about the effects of the discrepancy on biofuel demand during the first obligation year as well as environmental concerns about biofuel levels.
Subjects
Biofuels; Fossil fuels; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
12 February 2009
Reference
1414; 707 c224-5WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following an error in the definition of "relevant fossil fuel" in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Regulations, (a) it will be obvious should an oil company use the error to avoid this year's renewable obligation; (b) current legislation will provide access to oil company...
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, following an error in the definition of "relevant fossil fuel" in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Regulations, (a) it will be obvious should an oil company use the error to avoid this year's renewable obligation; (b) current legislation will provide access to oil company...
Asked by
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
12 February 2009
The discrepancy concerning the definition of relevant hydrocarbon oil in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations (RTFO) Order 2007 (No. 3072) means that any fossil fuel which is blended with renewable fuel before the excise duty point is excluded from the calculation of a supplier’s obligation. The result is that less fossil fuel than was intended is taken into account in calculating suppliers’ obligations, and therefore less renewable fuel is required to be supplied than was intended.
Fossil fuel that is supplied to the consumer separately from biodiesel or bioethanol or is blended after it passes the duty point will be taken into account in calculating a supplier's obligation. It will be a matter for obligated suppliers to determine how they supply their fuels and meet their obligation under the RTFO scheme for the year 2008-09.
Any supplier of fossil fuel in the UK is subject to the obligation regardless of whether its Head Office is located within or outside the UK. A supplier can meet its obligation in three ways: through supplying biofuel; purchasing certificates from other suppliers of biofuel; or by buying out of its obligation. The 2007 RTFO order provides for the Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) to require suppliers to report volumes of fossil and biofuel supplied and this information will be used to determine a supplier's obligation and if it has been met. Provisions in the Climate Change Act 2008 provide for information to be supplied to the RFA by Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise to verify these reports. Information about how suppliers have complied with their obligation will be made available in the RFA’s reports to Government and Parliament.
The full effect of the discrepancy on the volume of biofuel supplied in the first obligation year (2008-09) will not be known until after the end of the obligation year. Following a consultation, on 28 January the Government announced our intention to introduce legislation to slow down the rate at which the obligation increases until 2013-14. A draft order was laid in Parliament on 9 February to amend the obligation levels specified in the 2007 Order and this sets a level of 3.25 per cent of total fuel supplied for 2009-10. We have proposed a higher level than the 3 per cent level proposed in the consultation and have taken into account concerns expressed by producers about the effects of the discrepancy on biofuel demand during the first obligation year as well as environmental concerns about biofuel levels.
Subjects
Biofuels; Fossil fuels; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
12 February 2009
Reference
1412; 707 c224-5WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they will take to assist small United Kingdom-based biofuel producers whose market has contracted this year due to an error in the definition of ““relevant fossil fuel”” in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Regulations.
To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures they will take to assist small United Kingdom-based biofuel producers whose market has contracted this year due to an error in the definition of ““relevant fossil fuel”” in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Regulations.
Asked by
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
12 February 2009
The discrepancy concerning the definition of relevant hydrocarbon oil in the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations (RTFO) Order 2007 (No. 3072) means that any fossil fuel which is blended with renewable fuel before the excise duty point is excluded from the calculation of a supplier’s obligation. The result is that less fossil fuel than was intended is taken into account in calculating suppliers’ obligations, and therefore less renewable fuel is required to be supplied than was intended.
Fossil fuel that is supplied to the consumer separately from biodiesel or bioethanol or is blended after it passes the duty point will be taken into account in calculating a supplier's obligation. It will be a matter for obligated suppliers to determine how they supply their fuels and meet their obligation under the RTFO scheme for the year 2008-09.
Any supplier of fossil fuel in the UK is subject to the obligation regardless of whether its Head Office is located within or outside the UK. A supplier can meet its obligation in three ways: through supplying biofuel; purchasing certificates from other suppliers of biofuel; or by buying out of its obligation. The 2007 RTFO order provides for the Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) to require suppliers to report volumes of fossil and biofuel supplied and this information will be used to determine a supplier's obligation and if it has been met. Provisions in the Climate Change Act 2008 provide for information to be supplied to the RFA by Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise to verify these reports. Information about how suppliers have complied with their obligation will be made available in the RFA’s reports to Government and Parliament.
The full effect of the discrepancy on the volume of biofuel supplied in the first obligation year (2008-09) will not be known until after the end of the obligation year. Following a consultation, on 28 January the Government announced our intention to introduce legislation to slow down the rate at which the obligation increases until 2013-14. A draft order was laid in Parliament on 9 February to amend the obligation levels specified in the 2007 Order and this sets a level of 3.25 per cent of total fuel supplied for 2009-10. We have proposed a higher level than the 3 per cent level proposed in the consultation and have taken into account concerns expressed by producers about the effects of the discrepancy on biofuel demand during the first obligation year as well as environmental concerns about biofuel levels.
Subjects
Biofuels; Fossil fuels; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
12 February 2009
Reference
1413; 707 c224-5WA
House
House of Lords
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Statement on the renewable transport fuel obligation by Lord Adonis on 28 January (WS 23-25), whether the provision to revise the definition of relevant hydrocarbon oil for the next obligation period will ensure that all transport fuel sold in the United...
To ask Her Majesty's Government further to the Written Statement on the renewable transport fuel obligation by Lord Adonis on 28 January (WS 23-25), whether the provision to revise the definition of relevant hydrocarbon oil for the next obligation period will ensure that all transport fuel sold in the United...
Asked by
Lord Taylor of Holbeach
(Conservative)
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
11 February 2009
The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligations Order 2007 (SI 3072) and the draft amendment order 2009 do not make any distinction concerning the country of origin of fossil fuels and biofuels supplied in the UK.
Subjects
Biofuels; Fossil fuels; Renewable transport fuel obligation
Date
11 February 2009
Reference
707 c204WA; 1344
House
House of Lords
asked Her Majesty's Government:What role they see for biofuels in using renewable energy sources in the transport sector.
asked Her Majesty's Government:What role they see for biofuels in using renewable energy sources in the transport sector.
Asked by
Lord Bradshaw
(Liberal Democrat)
Answered by
Lord Adonis
(Labour)
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Answered on
4 November 2008
The Government continue to believe that sustainably produced biofuels have a role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector. The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) requires the major oil companies and fuel suppliers that supply road fuels to ensure that a proportion of the road fuel supplied in the UK comprises renewable fuels such as biofuels.
The RTFO scheme came into effect in April 2008 and the level of the obligation for the first year (2008-09) is 2.5 per cent. In response to the findings of the Gallagher review on the wider indirect impacts of biofuel production we are currently consulting on proposals to slow down the rate of increase so that we reach a level of 5 per cent in 2013-14 rather than in 2010-11.
Subjects
Biofuels; Transport
Date
4 November 2008
Reference
5771; 705 c30WA
House
House of Lords