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<p>The Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO) does not extend to fuels used in
ferries, and there are no plans to widen the scheme so that biofuel supplied in ferries
which operate solely on inland waterways would be eligible for Renewable Transport
Fuel Certificates (RTFCs) under the RTFO scheme.</p><p> </p><p>Earlier this year the
Department consulted on changes to the RTFO including expansion to new transport modes.
The consultation “The Role of the RTFO in Domestic Maritime” explains that whilst
biofuels can have a role in reducing maritime emissions, it is the Government's current
view that the RTFO should not be used to stimulate the uptake of biofuels in maritime
transport.</p><p> </p><p>The availability of biomass used to produce biofuels is limited,
and these finite resources are best used in those sectors of the economy where greater
greenhouse gas savings can be achieved, or sectors that have fewer decarbonisation
options than maritime, such as aviation. Therefore, the main focus of our RTFO support
is to maximise greenhouse gas emissions savings from biofuels in road transport and
to grow the supply of renewable aviation fuels where biomass will be needed in the
longer term.</p><p> </p><p>The Department is supporting Research and Development in
low emission shipping technologies for vessels, including inland waterways craft,
and infrastructure as part of a £20m Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition.</p><p>
</p><p>More generally, to tackle the pollution levels around the River Thames and
London the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) uses a combination
of monitoring and modelling to annually assess air quality in the UK. This Modelling
allows Defra to assess levels of pollutants both now and in future years in order
to develop policies across government to continue to improve air quality in the UK.
Additionally, the Mayor of London is responsible for air quality and transport strategies
in the capital, including local air quality monitoring, and Transport for London is
responsible for managing traffic on the river. Local Authorities also carry out their
own assessments of air quality.</p><p> </p>
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