Dear ladies and gentlemen,
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Now on with this weeks news.
According to a report by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), global emissions have risen to a new record level.
Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in particular is reaching a record pace and rising to new highs, with the amount of carbon dioxide emissions accumulating in the atmosphere increasing by 11.4% in the last 20 years alone, according to the report.
WMO Bulletin No. 20 #1 states that carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere will reach 420 parts per million (ppm) in 2023, compared to 377.1 ppm in 2004. From 2022 to 2023 alone, carbon dioxide levels in the Earth’s atmosphere increased by 2.3 ppm, marking the twelfth consecutive year in which carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere increased by more than 2 ppm compared to the previous year. In addition, the carbon dioxide concentration rose by 2.8 ppm by 2023.
Another record! ‘This should set alarm bells ringing among decision-makers,’ said WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo in a statement. ‘We are clearly on the wrong track to achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to well below 2°C and aiming for 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. These are more than just statistics. Every part per million and every fraction of a degree increase in temperature has a real impact on our lives and our planet.’
According to the report, carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere are rising faster today than at any time in human history, and levels are 51% higher than in pre-industrial times. But it is not only carbon dioxide that is reaching record levels. Other long-lived greenhouse gases have also accumulated rapidly. The WMO found that methane concentrations rose to 1,934 parts per billion (ppb) and nitrous oxide concentrations to 336.9 ppb last year. As reported by The Guardian, methane concentrations in the atmosphere have risen by 265% and nitrous oxide concentrations by 125% compared to pre-industrial times. #2
Even if greenhouse gas emissions are rapidly reduced to meet global net-zero targets, they may continue to contribute to global warming for decades due to the long-lived nature of these gases, the WMO has warned. As The Guardian reports, recent estimates have found that the world will need to invest $1 trillion to $2 trillion a year in emissions reductions to meet net-zero targets by 2050.
The report was published ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference 2024 (COP29), which will take place this year in Baku, Azerbaijan. The report complements the United Nations Emissions Gap Report published last week, which shows that the world is currently on track to miss the Paris Agreement target of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Instead, the world is threatened with a warming of 3.1 degrees Celsius by the year 2100.
According to the WMO, the last time carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere were this high on Earth was 3 to 5 million years ago, when warming was 2 to 3 degrees Celsius and sea levels were up to 20 metres higher.
#1 https://wmo.int/media/news/greenhouse-gas-concentrations-surge-again-new-record-2023
Modern biofuels are one of the ways to protect the climate immediately. ‘Safe travel with biofuels in the future’ – this is the motto of the 22nd International Congress “Fuels of the Future”, which will take place in Berlin on 20 and 21 January 2025 and offer a unique platform for young researchers. All information can be found at.
https://www.fuels-of-the-future.com/en
India and Germany have launched the ‘Indo-German Green Hydrogen Roadmap’ to promote the market introduction of green hydrogen and improve cooperation in the field of climate protection and sustainable development. https://www.offshore-energy.biz/india-and-germany-forge-green-hydrogen-ties/
KATZEN International announced the completion and commissioning of the expansion project of the INPASA Agroindustrial S/A bioethanol plant in Brazil. The expansion has increased the plant’s production capacity to 1.6 million tonnes per year, making it the world’s largest grain-based bioethanol plant. The Sinop plant, designed by KATZEN, was built by INPASA in 2019 to produce 390,000 tonnes of fuel-grade ethanol annually. INPASA contracted KATZEN to expand the plant in four stages starting in 2021. The new plant configuration will process 4.6 million tonnes of locally grown corn. https://bioenergyinternational.com/katzen-international-completes-worlds-largest-dry-mill-ethanol-plant/
The United States Department of Agriculture is awarding $239 million in grants to U.S. companies to increase the availability of domestic biofuels in 18 states and provide Americans with cleaner and more affordable fuel options. The Department will provide $200 million through the new Biobased Market Access and Development Grants, made possible by funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC). https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2024/10/29/biden-harris-administration-announces-239-million-increase-access
US Energy Information Administration data shows that US ethanol production hit a 10-week high of 1.082 million barrels per day last week. As demand for blending stocks increase, inventories have fallen to their lowest level in nearly a year at 21.771 million barrels. https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/AG/news/business-inputs/article/2024/10/30/eia-us-ethanol-output-edged-10-week
Raízen inaugurated its new second-generation ethanol plant at the Bonfim Bioenergy Park in Brazil on Friday. With an investment of USD 200 million, it is the company’s second cellulosic ethanol plant and the largest in the world. The plant already has 80% of its volume under contract with a production capacity of 65,000 tonnes per year. https://bioenergyinternational.com/raizen-starts-worlds-largest-cellulosic-ethanol-plant/
The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and the Port of Shanghai have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a green shipping corridor at a forum in Shanghai. Together with the shipping giant COSCO Shipping Lines and the Shanghai International Port Group (SIPG), the Shanghai Municipal Transportation Commission (SMTC) and the HPA are working on the implementation of the green shipping corridor. The aim is to accelerate the decarbonisation of maritime transport through cooperation with providers of technical equipment, energy suppliers, cargo owners, terminals and shipping companies, according to the report. https://www.hamburg-port-authority.de/en/aktuelles-presse/default-e3751c6817b38f187b6dac20208e6228-2
GAIL (India) Limited and VERBIO India Private Limited recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to jointly explore the establishment of compressed biogas plants based on agricultural residues (CBG) in India. This collaboration aims to leverage the strengths of both companies to promote sustainable energy solutions and improve the utilisation of agricultural waste. https://gailonline.com/PressRelease25102024.html
First Sentier Investors (FSI) has acquired a majority stake in Spanish biomass company Enso through its infrastructure fund Igneo Infrastructure Partners. Enso is currently part of the T2 Energy Transition Fund, a venture capital fund launched by Tikehau Capital in partnership with Total SA to accelerate the energy transition through green investments. https://renewablesnow.com/news/igneo-to-acquire-spanish-bioenergy-firm-enso-872695/
Air New Zealand, in collaboration with LanzaJet, has announced promising initial findings from a joint feasibility study investigating the use of woody waste and low-value wood products to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in New Zealand. https://www.airnewzealandnewsroom.com/press-release-2024-new-study-shows-local-production-of-sustainable-aviation-fuel-could-support-fuel-resilience-and-security-in-aotearoa-new-zealand
The News Agency reports that Malaysia’s Ministry of Plantations and Commodities has proposed investing in new technologies and infrastructure to convert palm oil production waste into biomass energy more efficiently. The Minister of Plantations and Commodities said that waste from the industry such as empty fruit bunches (EFB), mesocarp fibres and palm kernel shells could be burnt and converted into energy. https://www.dfdl.com/insights/legal-and-tax-updates/malaysias-progress-in-green-investment-a-general-overview/
Avantium N.V. launched Releaf brand name for Avantium’s plant-based and recyclable polymer PEF (polyethylene furanoate). Releaf is set to help transform the plastics industry, providing sustainable and superior solutions for bottles, packaging, and textiles. It represents a future where sustainable choices are the norm, not the exception. https://packagingeurope.com/news/avantium-markets-plant-based-pef-polymer-under-releaf-brand-name/12024.article
Japan’s Yanmar Power Technology successfully completes a land-based demonstration test of a hydrogen-powered 4-stroke high-speed engine with pilot ignition for power generation in coastal vessels, achieving a rated output of around 500 kW. This test was carried out as part of the Nippon Foundation’s zero emission ship demonstration experiment. The tested hydrogen engine with pilot ignition uses a small amount of diesel oil as an ignition source (pilot fuel) to burn a premix of hydrogen and air. https://www.greencarcongress.com/2024/11/20241102-yanmar.html
Transponder 1200 reports that the Mexican low-cost airline Viva Aerobus is now using SAF from Neste on its flights from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). The signed agreement includes the purchase of one million litres of SAF to be blended with conventional fuel and used for flight operations. The airline has implemented this initiative as part of its commitment to reduce its carbon footprint and contribute to a greener future in aviation, according to the report. https://www.neste.com/news/neste-and-avfuel-supply-saf-to-viva-aerobus
Building on legislation passed in 2023 and 2024 to prevent price spikes and increase transparency in the oil industry, the governor is directing the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to expedite actions that could lead to lower gasoline prices without compromising environmental protections. We are investigating how California could increase ethanol blending in gasoline (E15), which studies have shown could lower prices while protecting the environment. https://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/california-governor-puts-e15-in-the-fast-lane
Uzbekistan will allocate 1.3 billion dollars for waste-to-energy projects to diversify its energy sources and improve waste management in co-operation with international companies. Around 4.7 million tonnes of solid waste are to be processed annually as part of the waste recycling projects. According to the report, this will generate 2.1 billion kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity. https://www.zawya.com/en/business/energy/uzbekistan-announces-13bln-in-waste-to-energy-projects-mi3gmsgq
BEFH Podcast
We are proud to present our first BIOTECH ENERGY Podcast. Get to know more about the journey of BEFH so far and also the latest news about Bioethanol 2.0, SAF, the future of sustainable fuels and topics like cattle feed. The length of the podcast is approx. 15 min. Just press the start button above. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us. Enjoy.