FRIENDS of the Earth believe members of the public are being "kept in the dark" about a controversial decision by government to put biofuels into petrol. According to FoE biofuels campaigner Kenneth Richter seven-out-of-eight people in the South East have no idea that, as from Tuesday (April 15), biofuels will be added to their petrol. His figures are based on the first-ever public attitudes survey on the controversial alternative fuels which revealed that, of those who knew what biofuels were, more than two-thirds would prefer governments to curb emissions by improving public transport or making cars greener. The YouGov survey, commissioned by Friends of the Earth, found that 80 per cent of people in the South East agree that European governments should make vehicle manufacturers double the fuel efficiency of new cars by 2020 – in order to tackle climate change. And almost three-quarters think the Government is not doing enough to improve public transport. The Government's Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation, brought in to meet EU regulations, means all petrol sold in the UK will now have to include at least 2.5 per cent biofuels, made from crops. But, according to FoE, although the move aims to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and cut carbon emissions, new scientific evidence shows that the growth in biofuels could actually increase greenhouse gas emissions through land conversion and greater use of chemical fertilisers. Mr Richter said: "Worryingly, 63 per cent of those surveyed by Friends of the Earth were unaware that the growth in biofuels is contributing to the destruction of rainforest." According to Mr Richter, FoE believes the EU should scrap its biofuels targets and tackle transport pollution by strengthening proposals for mandatory emissions limits on all new cars instead. "This survey shows that people want to see real green transport solutions that make a difference to their lives – like better public transport and smarter cars that burn less fuel," he added. Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) will vote on both options later this year when Mr Richter believes it will be time to put a stop to the controversial biofuel project. An adamant Mr Richter said: "MEPs from the South East have a chance to put transport policy on the right track when they vote on new European laws this summer. "They should ditch EU biofuels targets and insist that vehicle manufacturers double the fuel efficiency on new cars instead."
