14 December 2000 Green Fuels Challenge - consultation starts Issued jointly by DETR and Treasury Industry and environmental groups will be asked today to advise on possible environmental and health and safety aspects of alternative fuels, taking forward the Green Fuels Challenge, announced by the Chancellor in November.
Greener fuels can help cut the environmental impact of transport.
The Green Fuels Challenge aims to stimulate industry to propose practical options - the most promising alternative fuels should qualify for major cuts in duty rates in the next Budget statement. Environment Minister Michael Meacher and Transport Minister Gus Macdonald today invited fuel producers, motor manufacturers, environmental groups and others to provide information on a range of environmental, health and safety and vehicle performance issues. Ministers are searching for fuels which, in both the short and longer term, cut emissions of harmful local pollutants and greenhouse gases and help cut other environmental impacts, such as waste. Increasing use of green fuels will additionally allow the United Kingdom transport system to start cutting its dependence on crude oil and its dramatic price fluctuations. The best fuels from the Green Fuel Challenge will be given significant duty reductions in the budget to achieve this aim.