The agency awards Renewable Transport Fuel Certificates (RTFCs) to suppliers of biofuels in the UK, ensures companies meet their annual obligations and runs the RTFO's carbon and sustainability reporting system.
The Agency reports every month on the biofuels supplied in the UK, every quarter on the performance of individual suppliers and every year on the wider impacts of the RTFO.
The report was commissioned by the Secretary of State for Transport in response to growing concern about the impact of rising global demands for biofuels on food prices, biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions.
A growing body of academic research suggested that biofuels would effectively displace agricultural production and cause damaging land-use change in other parts of the world.
It found that, whilst there was probably sufficient land for food, feed and biofuels, current policies did not ensure that additional production occurred in appropriate areas.
On the basis of evidence gathered, the Gallagher Review concluded that a slowdown in targets was needed whilst appropriate mitigation measures were put in place.
The two pieces of legislation that relate directly to this public body and the Government policy it implements are the Energy Act 2004[7] and the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation Order 2007.