Report on Biofuel Transition for Municipal Waste Fleet in Surrey

1.0 Introduction

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council has initiated a significant environmental project by transitioning a substantial portion of its waste collection fleet from diesel to a renewable biofuel. This report details the initiative, its environmental impact, and its direct contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

2.0 Initiative Overview and Key Actions

The council has implemented the use of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) as the primary fuel source for 28 of its waste collection vehicles. HVO is a renewable diesel alternative produced from waste materials, such as used cooking oil.

1. Vehicle Conversion: 28 heavy-duty waste collection trucks have been successfully transitioned to operate on HVO fuel.
2. Strategic Goal Alignment: The action is a core component of the council’s strategy to achieve its net-zero carbon emissions target by 2030, as approved in December 2023.
3. Future Planning: The council is developing long-term plans to replace the remaining fleet with electric or other low-emission alternatives, ensuring continued progress towards sustainability.

3.0 Environmental Impact and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The transition to HVO fuel represents a socially and environmentally responsible investment, yielding measurable benefits that align with several key SDGs.

• SDG 13: Climate Action: The primary outcome is a direct reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative is projected to prevent approximately 500 tonnes of carbon from entering the atmosphere annually. Each vehicle is expected to reduce its emissions by at least 76%, contributing significantly to local and global climate mitigation efforts.
• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy: By replacing fossil diesel with HVO, the council is actively increasing the share of renewable energy in its transport operations. This move supports the transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy systems.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The use of a cleaner fuel source directly improves local air quality by reducing harmful pollutants associated with diesel combustion. This creates a healthier urban environment for residents and supports the development of sustainable municipal services.
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production: The use of HVO, which is produced from waste products like used cooking oil, exemplifies circular economy principles. It promotes sustainable production patterns by turning waste into a valuable energy resource, reducing reliance on virgin fossil fuels.

4.0 Conclusion

The council’s decision to power its waste fleet with HVO biofuel is a critical step in decarbonising its operations. The project delivers substantial carbon savings, improves local air quality, and demonstrates a strong commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to climate action, clean energy, and sustainable communities.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The article focuses on transitioning a fleet of vehicles from diesel, a fossil fuel, to hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), which is described as a “renewable diesel alternative.” This shift directly supports the goal of increasing the use of clean and renewable energy sources in the transport sector.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The initiative is undertaken by a local council (Reigate and Banstead Borough Council) to improve the urban environment. The article explicitly states that the switch to biofuel will “improve local air quality” and reduce the “operational carbon footprint of the waste fleet,” which are key aspects of making cities more sustainable and reducing their environmental impact.

• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

  The article mentions that HVO is “produced from waste materials like used cooking oil.” This demonstrates a circular economy approach, where waste products are repurposed into valuable resources (fuel), promoting sustainable production patterns and reducing waste.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  This is the primary goal addressed. The entire project is framed as an “effort to cut carbon emissions.” The article quantifies the impact, stating the move will prevent “around 500 tonnes of carbon from being released into the atmosphere annually” and is a “significant step” toward the council’s “net-zero target by 2030.”

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy

   • By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The council’s action of transitioning 28 trucks to HVO, a “renewable diesel alternative,” directly contributes to increasing the proportion of renewable energy used in its local transport and operations.

2. Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impact of cities

   • By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management. The article highlights that the initiative will “improve local air quality” and is directly related to the operations of the “waste collection fleet,” addressing both key aspects of this target.

3. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into policies and planning

   • Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article shows this target being implemented at a local level. The council’s action “follows the council’s approval of plans in December 2023 to reduce emissions from its waste collection fleet,” demonstrating the integration of climate goals into official municipal planning to achieve a “net-zero target by 2030.”

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicator for Target 7.2 (Renewable Energy Share)

   • The article provides data points that contribute to measuring the renewable energy share in the council’s fleet operations. The transition of “28 of its waste collection trucks” from diesel to HVO is a specific measure of this shift. The statement that this lowers the “operational carbon footprint of the waste fleet by at least 25%” also serves as a quantifiable indicator of the increased use of renewable energy.

2. Indicator for Target 11.6 (Air Quality)

   • While the article does not provide specific data on particulate matter (like PM2.5), it implies a positive change that can be measured. The statement that the switch will “improve local air quality” suggests that a relevant indicator would be the measurement of local air pollutants before and after the transition. The reduction in emissions from each truck “by at least 76%” is a direct proxy indicator for reduced pollutants affecting air quality.

3. Indicator for Target 13.2 (Greenhouse Gas Emissions)

   • The article provides a direct and quantifiable indicator for measuring progress on climate action, corresponding to Indicator 13.2.2 (Total greenhouse gas emissions per year). It explicitly states that the change “will prevent around 500 tonnes of carbon from being released into the atmosphere annually.” This figure is a direct measurement of the initiative’s impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: biofuels-news.com