Travel and Transport

Travel uses a lot of energy, which is mostly derived from fossil fuels.

In 2008, domestic transport (road, rail, aviation and shipping) was the source of 21% (132 million tonnes) of all domestic greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. Over 90% of these emissions were from road transport.

To address this issue the UK Government introduced the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation, which requires 5% of all road fuel be biofuel by 2014.

Biofuels are now being mixed with ordinary petrol and diesel at the pump, so you are probably using biofuel without realising it.

In addition, if you want to use fuels with a higher concentration of renewable material there are products available.

Biodiesel is available from several manufacturers and suppliers, and can be used in diesel engines following modification. Bioethanol is available as a blend called E85, which is 85% bioethanol mixed with 15% fossil fuel. E85 can be used in 'flex-fuel' car engines.

Browse categories

• Biofuels

  Biofuels are liquid fuels made from biomass. Currently, the most widely available biofuels are biodiesel and bioethanol.

• Car Parts

  Renewable materials are used in the manufacture of interior door panels, parcel shelves and roof panels in a range of cars.

• Cars

  All petrol and diesel engines can run on a mixture of biofuel and fossil fuel. As a result, biofuels are already being used in place of fossil fuels.