Press release
Minister Ryan signs off on Renewable Transport Fuel Regulations
Published on
Last updated on
Published on
Last updated on
Eamon Ryan, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Transport, has signed off on new Renewable Transport Fuel Regulations 2023 which will support our continued transition to cleaner and sustainable forms of fuel mixes in our transport fleet and help meet our Climate Action Plan targets.
This follows on from a statutory consultation on draft Regulations which took place throughout the month of March on the move to E10 and the incentivisation of the supply of other renewable transport targets for biofuels, biogas and renewable fuels of non-biological origin.
These renewable transport fuel regulations complete a suite of regulatory changes which have been implemented in close partnership and consultation with stakeholders over the past two years, as committed to in the Renewable Fuel for Transport Policy 2021.
The Regulations support the Climate Action Plan E10/B20 target by 2030 and complement further targets for the production of biomethane and the use of green hydrogen in transport into the future. Under the Regulations, the move to E10 will continue through forecourts across the country up to 1 July 2023.
The Regulations incentivising certain renewable transport fuels include those such as HVO and Biomethane, which can contribute to further decarbonising the hard to abate HDV and road haulage sectors. The regulations also include incentives for renewable transport fuels supply for use in aviation and maritime sectors.
In response to concerns raised during the statutory consultation process, the Minister modified the draft regulations to expand incentives to other renewable transport fuel, targeting production and supply by small indigenous biofuel companies and the agricultural waste feedstock supply chains supporting these businesses. As demand grows globally for biofuels and their feedstocks, this Renewable Fuels for Transport policy recognises the need to ensure sustainable Irish production is not put at a competitive disadvantage and that we do not become overly reliant on imported biofuels over time.
Commenting on the Renewable Transport Fuel Regulations, Minister Eamon Ryan said:
“Renewable transport fuel is an important transition measure for transport decarbonisation, until we realise the shift to electrification, and further increase other modes such a public transport and active travel.
"The statutory consultation on the regulations has provided a welcome opportunity to engage with stakeholders and hear their views, and I encourage future engagement as we move ahead.
"Further consultation on the next iteration of the renewable transport fuel policy 2023-2025 is an opportunity to continue this conversation with stakeholders, to review the progress of implemented measures in delivering objectives, and to ensure we align policy and action with European and domestic targets and requirements for reduction in transport greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Renewable Transport Fuel Regulations are made under the Oil Emergency Contingency and Transfer of Renewable Transport Fuel Functions Act 2023, commenced on 28 February 2023.
The statutory consultation for the draft regulations involved publication of the draft regulations on gov.ie throughout the month of March.
The modifications made by the Minister to the draft regulations following the statutory consultation include:
The amount of additional certificates that can be awarded for supply of biomethane increased from the amount specified in the draft regulation.
Including additional certificates for category 1 tallow fatty acid methyl ester biodiesel, at the same level as HVO
The amount of additional certificates for supply of HVO/CHVO adjusted downward from the amount specified in the draft regulation.
The modifications seek to ensure delivery of carbon reduction under the RTFO in 2023.
The consultation on the draft Renewable Transport Fuel Policy 2023-2025 will run to the end of April 2023.
A public awareness campaign for the move to E10, involving advertisement in print, radio and social media, and at forecourts, commenced at the start of March and will continue to 1 July in line with suppliers refreshing petrol stock.
There is a growing demand globally for biofuels and their feedstocks. However, there are also concerns about their sustainability in terms of production (as articulated by organisations such as the Climate Change Advisory Council). In that context, this policy needs to ensure sustainable Irish production is not put at a competitive disadvantage and that Ireland does not become entirely reliant on imported biofuels into the future.
In order to minimise the impact on the carbon reduction delivery under the renewable transport fuel obligation in 2023 as a result of introducing the additional certificates for FAME biodiesel, it has been necessary to balance this out in the final modified regulations by also adjusting downwards the additional certificates available for HVO biodiesel, to the same amount as the additional certificates for FAME biodiesel.