London, 15/07/2021 – In response to the release of the Transport Decarbonisation Plan (TDP), the downstream oil sector - the supplier of 96% of the UK’s transport fuels – is committed to working with the UK Government to decarbonise the transport system, recognising that the carbon footprint of transport emissions extends far beyond what is emitted from a vehicle’s tailpipe.
The announced changes to the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO), will see a steady increase in renewable fuel content blended in fuels throughout the 2020s, which UKPIA supports.
UKPIA also welcomes the announcement by DfT to develop a strategy for low carbon fuels. Low carbon fuels can reduce emissions with today’s vehicle fleet, making efficient use of the strong existing infrastructure in the supply chain, while infrastructure for EVs and hydrogen vehicles is developed.
In March, UKPIA released its “Future of Mobility in the UK” report [1], which outlined the significance of the downstream sector as a major contributor to decarbonising transport. Pivotal to reducing emissions in the transport sector will be a systems-based approach to decarbonisation as well as a fundamental paradigm shift in how we use transport.
Quotes attributed to UKPIA Director-General Stephen Marcos Jones.
“UKPIA member companies are already developing and retailing products vital to reaching Net-Zero in transport. Whether it be the millions of litres of biofuels supplied, equivalent to removing 2.5 million cars’ emissions per year [2], producing graphite for electric vehicle (EV) battery production, or the development of sustainable aviation fuels – the downstream sector is already contributing to lowering transport emissions.
Today’s recognition by the DfT of the significant role that low carbon fuels will and must play in the decarbonisation of transport is welcomed. With the announcement of a much-needed strategy for low carbon fuels, this feels like a watershed moment for the future of low carbon fuels in this country and we look forward to working with DfT on the strategy’s development.
UKPIA and its members know that a range of technologies - including EVs, hydrogen and low carbon liquid fuels - have a major role to play in the future of transport provision. We will continue to work in partnership with the UK Government to ensure that policies support an efficient and timely transition based on a full lifecycle assessment of decarbonisation options.”
ENDS
Notes for editors:
- UKPIA represents eight oil refining and marketing companies that operate the six major oil refineries in the UK and source over 85% of the transport fuels used. UKPIA members also own around 1,250 of the UK's 8,000+ filling stations in the UK. UKPIA’s associate members are made up of a wide range of companies - from heating fuel supply and LNG imports, renewable and sustainable fuel producers, to terminals and pipelines - all providing a range of essential services across the industry
- [1] UKPIA’s latest report, The Future of Mobility in the UK, can be accessed here.
- [2] DfT. Renewable fuel statistics 2019: Final report. GOV.UK https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/renewable-fuel-statistics-2019-final report (2020).