Consultation on the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy

The Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement sets out the pathway for delivery of a key component within Ireland’s Climate Action Plan for the transport sector, which will deliver significant CO2 emissions abatement over the coming decade.

This consultation concerns implementation of the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy as set out in the policy statement in November 2021, and the future direction of this policy to 2030. It concerns the ambition under the National Climate Action Plan as well as the implementation of the renewable fuel elements of the recast Renewable Energy Directive (‘REDII’) and consideration of the EU fit for 55 proposals.

The Department of Transport sought views in relation to the further development of the Renewable Fuels for Transport Statement. This included implementation of the renewable fuel elements of the recast Renewable Energy Directives (‘REDII’) and consideration of the EU fit for 55 proposals.

Input was sought on several questions including the scope of the policy, the level of renewable energy in the transport sector in 2030, the trajectory to that point, methods of meeting an increased obligation, the introduction of an additional obligation for advanced biofuels, technical challenges, cost impacts and the move to an energy basis for calculating the obligation.

This consultation will help inform changes that will be made to the next iteration of the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy, implementation of elements of REDII and inform some of Ireland’s positions under EU fit for 55.

The Department of Transport launched a two-phase public consultation to seek views on the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement in 2022 following its publication in November 2021. For the initial phase, the Department of Transport hosted four thematic workshops and a webinar in March in April of this year which included Q and A sessions and a number of guest speakers and industry expert presentations. The consultation opened for written submissions on the 8th of April with a closing date of 20th of May 2022.

A total of thirty-six (36) submissions were received in response to the written public consultation. Respondents included biofuel suppliers, state bodies, academia, industry interest groups, fuel suppliers, energy providers amongst others. The Department of Transport wishes to thank those who took the time to respond to the public consultation. All contributions will help to inform and enhance the development of the next iteration of the Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Statement.

The ‘Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Consultation 2022 Summary Report’ is published below with a Department response under each theme. Full submissions are also published below in a consolidated “Renewable Fuels for Transport Policy Consultation submissions” document.