Dear readers,
while 155 countries have pledged to reduce methane emissions by 30 per cent by 2030 as part of the Global Methane Pledge, new research shows that global methane emissions have increased at a record rate over the past five years. At least two-thirds of the methane emissions produced each year come from human activities such as agriculture, fossil fuels, landfills and other waste, the Stanford report says. In a new article published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, the researchers warn that this ominous pattern ‘cannot continue if we are to maintain a habitable climate.’ The article was published with corresponding figures in Earth System Science Data. Both papers were produced by the Global Carbon Project, an initiative that tracks global greenhouse gas emissions and is led by Rob Jackson, a scientist at Stanford University. Methane concentrations in the atmosphere are now more than 2.6 times higher than in pre-industrial times, the highest they have been on Earth for more than 800,000 years. The full article is attached.
At the G20 Agriculture Ministerial Meeting held in Brazil on 12 and 13 September 2024, an important agreement was reached between India and Brazil on cooperation in ethanol production technology. The talks, led by India’s Minister of State for Agriculture, Ram Nath Thakur, and Brazil’s Minister of Agriculture, Carlos Favaro, focused on deepening ties in the areas of science, technology and market access for agricultural products. India, whose ethanol production has increased from 1.73 billion litres in 2019 to over 5 billion litres in 2023, can benefit from Brazil’s advanced expertise in ethanol production. This collaboration is part of India’s broader strategy to expand its renewable energy portfolio and strengthen its position as the third largest ethanol producer in the world after the United States and Brazil.
To promote clean travel, Sahara Group has partnered with Air France-KLM by recently investing global business travel miles in Air France-KLM’s sustainable aviation fuel programme. In addition, QNB Group and DHL have signed an agreement to use SAF to improve their shipping solutions. In addition, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team committed to quadrupling its aviation emissions by the end of 2025 by purchasing certificates totalling 18,500 tonnes of CO2 between 2024 and 2025.
Robert Habeck, Germany’s Federal Minister of Economics, is in favour of relaxing the strict EU climate protection regulations for green hydrogen production. During a visit to Evonik’s chemical plant in Essen on Monday, Habeck said the current EU framework, which stipulates that hydrogen must be produced exclusively from additional renewable energy sources, is too complex and could hinder the energy transition. Habeck emphasised the urgency of expanding hydrogen production, especially green hydrogen, to support decarbonisation. He suggested postponing the EU’s bureaucratic regulations for several years to avoid delays.
A report by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), shows that only four of the 17 major car manufacturers producing vehicles in Europe and North America have committed to using fossil-free steel by 2030. Fossil-free steel produced using technologies such as green hydrogen can reduce steel-related emissions by up to 95%, according to the report. The report also recommends that policy makers offer financial incentives and set quotas for green steel to encourage car manufacturers to step up their commitment. https://www.greencarcongress.com/2024/09/20240919-icct.html
US Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm and Indian Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri met to discuss the progress of the US-India Clean Energy Strategic Partnership. The goal of the partnership is to promote clean energy innovation, strengthen energy security and accelerate the clean energy transition in both countries. Key areas where progress has been made include renewable energy deployment, energy storage solutions and green hydrogen initiatives. https://www.energy.gov/articles/us-india-strategic-clean-energy-partnership-ministerial-joint-statement
Methanex Corporation has completed the acquisition of OCI Global’s international methanol business for USD 2.05 billion. The transaction includes OCI’s interest in two world-scale methanol plants in Beaumont, USA. In addition, the transaction includes a low-carbon methanol production and marketing business and a currently idled methanol plant in the Netherlands. ‘This is a unique opportunity to create value through the acquisition of two highly attractive North American methanol plants that will further strengthen our global production base, and we expect it to be immediately accretive to free cash flow per share,’ said Rich Sumner, President and CEO of Methanex. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/09/09/2942478/0/en/Methanex-Corporation-Signs-Definitive-Agreement-to-Acquire-OCI-Global-s-International-Methanol-Business-for-2-05-Billion.html
Twelve, a company specialising in the decarbonisation of industries, has raised USD 645 million to accelerate the production of sustainable aviation fuel. The financing includes $400 million in project capital led by TPG Rise Climate, $200 million in Series C financing and $45 million in credit facilities. This is one of the largest injections of capital into the e-fuels sector to date. https://www.dcvc.com/news-insights/twelve-raises-645m-to-turn-co2-into-sustainable-jet-fuel/
Eni has received permission from the Italian Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security to begin construction of its planned biorefinery at Livorno to produce 500,000 tons of HVO diesel, HVO naphtha, and bio-LPG using renewable raw materials as feedstock. The site is expected to begin operations in 2026. https://www.eni.com/en-IT/media/press-release/2024/09/eni-construction-biorefinery-livorno-will-begin-soon.html
Haffner Energy announced the formation of SAF Zero, which aims to produce sustainable aviation fuel using the company’s proprietary SAFNOCA technology. By focusing solely on SAF, Haffner will be able to accelerate global SAF projects while allowing the parent company to focus on hydrogen, syngas and methanol projects. https://www.chemanalyst.com/NewsAndDeals/NewsDetails/haffner-energy-introduces-new-saf-zero-spin-off-30351
The U.S. Department of Energy’s announced a $1.56 billion conditional loan guarantee to Wabash Valley Resources to support a project in West Terre Haute, Indiana, to produce low-carbon ammonia using petroleum coke as a feedstock. The facility will incorporate carbon capture and sequestration technology to permanently store 1.6 million tonnes of CO2 annually, which could make it the world’s first carbon-negative ammonia production facility. https://www.energy.gov/lpo/articles/lpo-announces-conditional-commitment-wabash-valley-resources-repurpose-fossil-fuel
The San Francisco 49ers NFL have made history by becoming the first team to purchase sustainable jet fuel through a partnership with United Airlines. This initiative, which is part of United’s Eco-Skies Alliance, aims to reduce the carbon footprint associated with the team’s travel. The 49ers will use SAF for their upcoming flight to Los Angeles for Sunday’s NFC West 49ers-Rams game.e. https://www.49ers.com/news/an-nfl-first-49ers-and-united-airlines-launch-saf-pilot-project-to-reduce-carbon-emissions-from-air-travel
Woodland Biofuels has announced a $1.35 billion investment to build a large-scale renewable natural gas and green hydrogen production facility in St. John the Baptist Parish, Louisiana. The plant, which will be located at the Port of South Louisiana, will use biomass waste to produce sustainable biofuels for transportation, heating and power generation. Once operational, it will be one of the world’s largest renewable biofuel production facilities and is expected to help reduce carbon emissions by capturing and storing hundreds of thousands of tonnes of CO2 per year. https://carbonherald.com/woodland-biofuels-to-invest-1-35-billion-in-natural-gas-and-hydrogen-plants-at-port-of-louisiana/
Offshore Energy reports that the Hyperion-class cruise ship AIDAprima has refuelled with 100% renewable bio-marine fuel as part of a pilot project to evaluate the fuel’s performance in regular ship operations for possible future use. https://www.offshore-energy.biz/aida-cruises-pressing-on-with-biofuel-trials-on-a-quest-to-find-fuel-mix-of-future/
Covestro and Li Auto have partnered to develop more sustainable materials for vehicles, with a focus on circularity and “future-oriented applications with engineering plastics.” https://www.covestro.com/press/covestro-to-collaborate-with-li-auto-on-advanced-sustainable-material-solutions-for-next-gen-vehicles/
Renault’s New Master has been named ‘International Van of the Year 2025’ for its innovative multi-energy platform and ‘Aerovan’ design. This prestigious title, awarded by the IVOTY jury, is a significant achievement, particularly for the hydrogen-powered Renault Master H2-Tech, the first hydrogen van to win the award. The new Renault Master offers a flexible platform that supports diesel, electric and hydrogen powertrains, setting new standards in terms of efficiency and versatility. The hydrogen version, developed in collaboration with HYVIA – a joint venture between the Renault Group and Plug – will be available throughout Europe by the end of 2025. https://www.automotiveworld.com/news-releases/new-renault-master-named-international-van-of-the-year-2025-with-hydrogen-version/
UK-based infrastructure management company Ancala has acquired a 5MW biomass plant in Croatia from renewable energy company Akuo. At the end of March, Akuo had a total capacity of 1.8 GW in operation or under construction and a project pipeline of over 20 GW, according to the rep https://seenews.com/news/ancala-buys-biomass-chp-plant-in-croatia-from-akuo-1263273
Rio Tinto has launched a biofuel pilot project in Australia. The profitability of pongamia tree seed oil as a feedstock for the production of renewable diesel is to be tested. The project, which spans 3,000 hectares of farmland and is being undertaken in partnership with Midway Limited, aims to reduce the mining company’s reliance on fossil fuels while advancing its decarbonisation agendaa. https://igrownews.com/rio-tinto-launches-pongamia-biofuels-pilot-project-in-australia/
The Indian Sugar & Bio Energy Manufacturers Association (ISMA) announced that it has signed MoUs with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and PRAJ Industries to advance sustainable bioenergy solutions. The MOUs focus on sustainable aviation fuels and explore the potential of bioethanol, biogas, green biohydrogen and green methanol, according to the report. ‘Unlike conventional aviation fuels, SAF produced from renewable resources can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which remains one of the biggest challenges. Through our collaboration, we will leverage TERI’s research and policy expertise and PRAJ’s technology solutions to overcome such challenges and build a robust bioenergy ecosystem,’ said Deepak Ballani, Director General of ISMA. https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/economy/agri-business/indian-sugar-manufacturers-partner-with-teri-praj-for-sustainable-biofuels/article68634448.ece
The Indian state government of Punjab is pushing ahead with its green fuel initiative by setting up pelletisation plants to convert rice stubble into biofuel to solve the environmental problems associated with stubble burning. As of mid-September 2024, 16 such plants were operational across the state, with 21 more to be added by November. This initiative, which is part of the Punjab Pollution Control Board’s ex-situ management strategy, focuses on transporting stubble for use in industrial boilers and power plants to reduce pollution during the rice harvest. https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/punjab-gives-thrust-to-green-fuel-industry/
TotalEnergies announced its investment in the Japan Hydrogen Fund. Together with major Japanese companies, including Toyota and Iwatani, TotalEnergies is participating in a $400 million initiative aimed at developing low-carbon hydrogen technologies to drive global decarbonisation efforts. https://www.esgtoday.com/new-400-million-japan-low-carbon-hydrogen-development-fund-launched-by-toyota-smbc-totalenergies-others/
16 September 2024, Gevo announced that it has received a US patent for its ethanol-to-olefins process, which represents a significant advance in bio-based chemical and fuel production. The ETO process, which uses proprietary catalysts to convert ethanol into valuable three- and four-carbon olefins such as propylene, promises to reduce capital and operating costs by simplifying production. This technology is critical for the production of chemicals, plastics and sustainable aviation fuel. https://investors.gevo.com/news-releases/news-release-details/us-grants-gevo-patent-breakthrough-ethanol-olefin-process
AIR COMPANY has raised $69 million in a financing round to accelerate the development and commercialisation of its SAF made from captured carbon dioxide. Avfuel, a global aviation fuel provider, will take a seat on the board and lead the financing. Other participants in the financing include Duncan Aviation, Alaska Airlines and JetBlue Ventures. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240918043849/en/AIR-COMPANY-Raises-69M-in-Series-B-to-Commercialize-Carbon-Utilization-Technology-and-Sustainable-Aviation-Fuels
Lygos, a sustainable specialty chemical company, announced the signing of an agreement with global fermentation and biotechnology firm, CJ BIO, to produce and deliver commercial volumes of sustainable products to the market. As part of the partnership, Lygos will develop a commercial-scale biorefinery complex in Fort Dodge, US-Iowa. https://worldbiomarketinsights.com/lygos-and-cj-bio-to-develop-commercial-scale-biorefinery-complex-in-iowa/
Ara Partners announced a collaboration with HF Capital, the investment arm of Jimmy Haslam’s family office which has committed up to $725 million, to launch Ara Energy Decarbonization, aimed at reducing emissions in North America’s energy sector by enhancing operations at ethanol and natural gas plants. Ara Energy Decarbonization will be led by Shameek Konar. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ara-partners-launches-new-strategy-to-decarbonize-conventional-energy-value-chain-in-partnership-with-hf-capital-302248969.html
The European Commissioner for Energy, the South African Minister of Electricity and Energy, and the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, have announced two European Union grants totalling US$35.4 million to support South Africa’s green hydrogen agenda. European Commissioner Kadri Simson said: ‘This announcement is an important milestone in the partnership between the European Union and South Africa and demonstrates that the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy is being put into action to promote smart, clean and secure connections in the energy and transport sectors. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TsO9YA5OUo