A report, commissioned by Enhance, on London‘‘s market potential for biodiesel made from used cooking oils (UCO), has been released.

The escalating prices of non-renewable fuels, the increasing demand for fuel in general and the effect these fuels have on the climate will coerce the need for biodiesel in London. The report concludes that the call for biodiesel will be very strong and is expected to grow substantially over the next few years. It has the ability to be blended with and even directly replace petrodiesel as a fuel for vehicles used in public transportation, commercial haulage and a number of other markets. Ultimately, biodiesel consumption will far outstrip what can be supplied from UCO.

Demand for biodiesel is now underpinned by new legislation that requires a proportion of road fuel to be derived from sustainable sources until at least the year 2010. Its use is already much more established in continental Europe, where a proportion of UCO feed stocks arising in the UK are exported to support biodiesel production there. Additionally, a large proportion of the biodiesel consumed in the UK is imported from the Continent. It follows that there is an inherent need for more UK production capacity and a handful of facilities are under construction or in planning.

In London, the feasibility of establishing local production capacity is dependent upon the ability to capture UCO arising from restaurants, cafes, fast-food outlets and other catering establishments. UCO should be set apart for separate collection from these premises, although it is well known that much of this material ends up down the drains, or is collected along with other general wastes. Neither of these actions are legal, but without a much stronger level of enforcement, or an economic incentive, there is little prospect of diverting more UCO for secondary use, including biodiesel production.

Biodiesel seems especially appropriate for use in London to supply the thousands of public transport vehicles that dominate the inner-city streets. In addressing the impact of these vehicles on the urban environment, as well as capturing one of the capital‘‘s more problematic waste streams, biodiesel production could prove to be a hugely effective tool in promoting environmental sustainability in London.

Stephen Burnett, independent consultant and author of the biodiesel from UCO report, said, "London will need to gain the cooperation of high-profile partners, such as Transport for London and Thames Water, together with operators in the supply chain, like waste management companies, and appropriate prospective customers, such as local authorities or London taxis, to act as a beacon for supporting development."

The enhance programme plans to hold more events to help develop the market for biodiesel in London, following the one on 12 October. This event was attended by suppliers, collectors, processors, London boroughs, transport fleets, venture capitalists and trade associations. The report caused much debate and there has been a definite call for further networking events from enhance to tackle London‘‘s fuel sustainability and the management of UCO