1:42pm UK, Monday April 14, 2008

New rules forcing motorists to use biofuels are about to come into force - even though some campaigners say they may actually make climate change worse.

Fuel should be 'greener'

The introduction of the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) on Tuesday will mean that all petrol sold in the UK will have to include at least 2.5% biofuels, rising to 5% by 2010.

But some scientists and green groups have voiced fears that they may contribute more greenhouse gases through deforestation and the use of fertilisers than they save.

There are also concerns the switch to energy crops from food production - including a large-scale drive in the US to produce bioethanol from maize - is contributing to rising fuel prices around the world.

Ahead of the RTFO's introduction, the Government insisted the gradual introduction of biofuels will cut millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide, and said it would not go beyond the 5% target unless it was sure it could be done sustainably.

But Friends of the Earth demanded transport's greenhouse gases, which account for around 28% of overall UK emissions, be tackled by investing in better public transport and mandatory emissions limits on cars.

A survey for the environmental group showed almost nine out of 10 people did not know that the renewable fuels - made from crops such as sugar cane or maize - would be required in their vehicles.

Of the 55% of those questioned who knew what biofuels were, fewer than one in seven thought they were the best way to reduce emissions from road transport, the YouGov poll found.

Friends of the Earth also said two-thirds were not aware that biofuels could be contributing to the destruction of rainforests cleared to make way for growing the crops.

FoE's biofuels campaigner Kenneth Richter said: "People want to see real green transport solutions that will make a difference to their lives - like better transport and smarter cars that burn less fuel.

"It's now up to the Government to set us on the right track."

But TransportMinister Jim Fitzpatrick said: "Gradually introducing biofuels could help save millions of tonnes of carbon dioxide in the next few years and the UK has done more than any other country to make sure they are produced sustainably."