In December 2015, the world committed to meeting a 2º target for limiting the extent of climate change, with the aspiration to limit global warming within 1.5º. Getting there will require extensive decarbonisation of the transport sector, and low carbon fuels are seen as a primary tool, especially for modes where electrification and other efficiency improvement are more difficult.

While the opportunity for low carbon fuels is clear, the history of the first generation industry is contentious because of sustainability concerns, while efforts to commercialise new technologies have failed to deliver on early expectations. We’re interested in how to develop advanced biofuel policy that really works, for technology developers, investors and wider society, with experience engaging with the policy process for Europe, the UK, California, the U.S., and for international aviation.

Related policies

EU Renewable Energy Directive, Fuel Quality Directive

UK Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation

California Low Carbon Fuel Standard

U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard

International Civil Aviation Organisation Market Based Measure

Related work

In this paper published by the ICCT in 2013, Chris’ team considered barriers to investment in cellulosic biofuel in the U.S., and discussed possible policy improvements to accelerate progress: Measuring and addressing investment risk in the second-generation biofuels industry.

This paper that Chris co-authored with IEEP and TEPR in 2015 for Transport and Environment discusses options for the future of European biofuel regulation: Low carbon transport fuel policy for Europe post-2020

In this paper published by the ICCT in 2016, Chris worked with Ecofys and Jeff Passmore to assess the investment picture for cellulosic biofuel technologies in the European Union: How to advance cellulosic biofuels