Fuel watchdog warns on biofuels

The use of biofuel to run cars could be harming the world's endangered rainforests, it has been claimed.

According to research published by the Renewable Fuels Agency, the use of this type of fuel may be leading to the deforestation of areas of rainforest and could also lead to higher greenhouse gas emissions than normal petrol and diesel fuel.

This is down to the clearing of the rainforest for the harvesting of the palm oil which is used to make an ingredient in the biofuel.

Under the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation, oil companies are required to use certain amounts of biofuel as well as diesel and petrol but due to a loophole in the guidance, they do not have to reveal where they get the biofuel from.

The production of palm oil is one of the biggest contributors to rainforest deforestation and is used in a wide range of everyday products such as soap.

Written by Kimberley Homer.

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