Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
463. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport the degree to which the transport sector can avail or is availing of bio or non-fossil fuels in such a way as to meet carbon reduction targets as well as transport requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21280/22]
View answerThe use of biofuels is currently one of the main pillars of land transport decarbonisation. Since 2010, increasing volumes of biofuels have been introduced to the Irish conventional fuel mix through a biofuel blending obligation on fuel suppliers.
The obligation ensures that a certain percentage of the motor fuel placed on the market comes from renewable sources, for example bioethanol and biodiesel. In 2020 alone, 239 million litres of biofuels replaced about 209 million litres of fossil fuels, avoiding approximately 520 KtCO2eq. GHG emissions.
Biofuels will remain a core transitional measure for medium-term reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in road transport. This is particularly so for hard to abate sectors such as heavy-duty vehicles, where alternative transport energy and technology are at early and varying stages of development.
I published the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement in November 2021. The Statement sets out a roadmap for the supply and use of renewable energy in transport to address Ireland’s national commitments under the Climate Action Plan 2021 and European obligations under the Renewable Energy Directive.
The Policy Statement addresses a number of objectives. The Policy sets out an indicative trajectory for the annual increase in biofuel blending in transport fuel supply in Ireland to meet the climate action plan 2021 targets for 2030. It also provides measures to incentivise greater supply and use of advanced and development fuels in transport. The Policy also aims to ensure the highest standards of sustainability with regard to biofuels supply. To support the future development of the Policy, my Department is this year carrying out a study concerning the sustainability and availability of bio- and renewable fuels supply and demand in transport.
The Renewable Fuel for Transport Policy is currently subject to public consultation. The consultation follows a stakeholder engagement earlier this year comprising of a series of targeted themed stakeholder workshops and webinar. The written phase of the consultation commenced on 8 April and will run for a period of 6 weeks until 20 May 2022. A written report on the outcome of the consultation is expected by the end of June. More information on the consultation can be found on the Gov.ie website, at:
www.gov.ie/en/consultation/334b9-consultation-on-the-renewable-fuels-for-transport-policy/
