One of the causes of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels. So to stop global warming, we must choose alternatives. Biodiesel is currently the only fuel that is fossil-free, renewable and sufficiently available. In addition, it is relatively cheap to produce.
To combat climate change, almost all countries in the world have agreed to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, so that global warming is limited to a maximum of 2 degrees. In order to achieve this, our CO2 emissions must be reduced significantly. CO2 emissions occur through the combustion of fossil fuels, such as oil, coal and natural gas.
The transport sector makes a significant contribution to CO2 emissions. Fortunately, there are solutions. Electric driving, for example. However, electric transport is particularly suitable for passenger cars. For heavy transport such as trucks, ships and airplanes, electricity as a fuel is not sufficient, and other solutions are needed. In 2020, this was also the conclusion of the Dutch Social Economic Council (SER) in the advice ‘Biodiesel in balance’. In this advisory report, the SER comes to the conclusion that biofuels will be an important solution for a CO2-neutral economy in the coming years. The SER expects that other technological solutions, such as hydrogen, will not come into play until 2030.
Biodiesel is fossil-free and renewable. It is made from vegetable and animal oils and fats and fatty waste and residues such as used frying fat. In 2019, about 82 percent of the biodiesel on the Dutch market was made from used frying fat. It is collected from cafeterias and restaurants, but also from the kitchens of hospitals and institutions. Households are also encouraged to hand in their used frying fat, for example from cooking Dutch ‘oliebollen’, to supermarkets, sports clubs and children’s farms. There are now more than 2500 collection points in the Netherlands.
At present, biodiesel accounts for three quarters of renewable energy in transport. It makes an important contribution to the emission reduction in the transport sector, which is laid down in the mobility chapter of the Dutch ‘Klimaatakkoord’ (Climate Agreement). The climate goals are urgent and ambitious. Giving used frying fat a second life by turning it into biodiesel brings these goals closer.
Frank Bergmans, policy officer for sustainable development MVO
