What Companies Need to Report
Companies applying for RTFCs will need to provide information about:
• The type of fuel supplied
• The feedstock and country and origin
• Any social or environmental suatainability standards met in growing the feedstock
• The greenhouse gas savings of the biofuel taking account of any direct land-use changes
Details of how to provide reports are provided in Guidance documents with clarification notes provided in detailed frequently asked questions.
The RFA will allow transport fuel suppliers, at least initially, to report that they do not have information on the sustainability or otherwise of their biofuel. This is in recognition of the fact that it may be difficult to provide information for some fuels – particularly those purchased on the spot market.
The RFA also requires annual, independently verified reports of overall supplier performance from suppliers claiming more than 450,000 RTFCs in an obligation period. These reports will demonstrate suppliers’ performance in sourcing sustainable biofuels with good GHG savings.
Company targets
The Government has set targets for three key aspects of the reporting scheme. The targets are not mandatory (and there is no penalty for failing to meet them) but illustrate the level of performance which the Government expects from fuel suppliers.
| Annual Supplier Target | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 |
| Percentage of feedstock meeting a Qualifying Environmental Standard | 30% | 50% | 80% |
| Annual GHG saving of fuel supplied | 40% | 45% | 50% |
| Data reporting of renewable fuel characteristics | 50% | 70% | 90% |
The RFA expects, and Government targets recognise, the need for continuous improvement such that by 2010 comprehensive sustainability data is provided for almost all biofuels supplied to the UK. The RFA nevertheless expects companies to operate the Guidance to the best of their abilities from the start of the scheme. The RFA will rigorously enforce the provisions of the RTFO elaborated in the guidance; and where necessary, make use of all its powers (read the RTFO Order here) to ensure companies deliver upon their responsibilities to source sustainable biofuels.