Targets in the Renewable Energy Directive and Fuel Quality Directive (FQD) require by 2020:

• 20% of energy across the EU to be renewable
• 15% of energy in the UK to be renewable
• 10% of energy used in transport to be renewable
• a minimum reduction in GHG emissions from road transport of 6%

After a long process of negotiation, both Directives were published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 5 June 2009. Please see the RED document and the FQD document below or by following the link. The deadlines for implementation are 5 December (RED) and 31 December (FQD)

Under the RED, the UK has to submit a National Action Plan to the European Commission by the end of June 2010, detailing how it will meet its obligations.

In June 2008 the Government published its Renewable Energy Strategy. This is the Government's first draft of how it intends to meet its obligations under the Directive. A revised strategy is expected summer 2009.

The proposal for a binding target for 10% of energy used in the transport sector to be from renewable sources was the subject of particular controversy. The debate on the indirect effects of biofuels is still ongoing, with the Commision intending to report on ways to mitigate negative impacts by March 2010. A key contribution to the debate was the UK's Gallagher Review (July 2008). Please see the Renewable Transport Fuels Group response below.

The REA has now submitted a position paper to the Government on the implementation of the renewable transport elements of the RED/FQD and represents the industry on the DfT's stakeholder advisory group. A formal consultation is planned for this winter.

The REA recommends a broad suite of policies across all sectors in order for the UK to meet its obligations under the RED. Read the REA policies under development.

Read a more detailed REA summary of the RED here

See the official published RED Document and the official published FQD Document below.