RTFO Y4 outlines 'low-risk' approach to biofuel testing

The outlined plan for year four of the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) continues year three's approach to biofuel testing under the scheme.

Due for adoption on April 15th, 2011, the Year 4 carbon and sustainability guidance was published by the Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) on January 27th and is open to consultation.

A key component of the document, which governs how biofuel testing must be carried out to ensure energy sources qualify under the RTFO initiative, is its compatibility with the European Union's Renewable Energy Directive (RED).

Last year, some aspects of the RED were not yet clear when the RTFO guidance was updated.

To compensate for this, the RFA only factored into its guidance requirements it expected would not be contradicted by the finalised RED.

For the coming year, a similar approach is suggested for the remaining elements of the RED that, as yet, have not been published by the European Commission.