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The UN Climate Change Conference COP29 is taking place in Azerbaijan from 11 to 24 November. The programme includes a 1.5°C scenario and the goal of a net-zero pathway by the middle of the century. According to the IRENA scenario, even if all of the COP’s announcements to date were to be fully implemented, a significant CO2 emissions gap would still need to be closed by 2050.
There is always a considerable gap between the political announcements and the countries’ actual plans and measures. National plans and targets are only expected to deliver half of the required growth in renewable energy by 2030. Investments in renewable energy, grids and flexibility, energy efficiency and energy savings must increase dramatically to meet the renewable energy and efficiency targets, which total USD 31.5 trillion from 2024 to 2030. Furthermore, fossil fuels continue to dominate the energy mix in several of the largest economies, the world’s biggest CO2 emitters, accounting for over 70% of energy supply.
A solid global financing agreement and the next NDCs in 2025 are the decisive moments to achieve the 1.5°C target. The NDCs 3.0 are the last opportunity in this decade for countries to step up their stated ambition. In particular, agreement on a new quantified target for climate finance at COP29 is crucial to ensure a just transition, support investment in the Global South and enable countries to increase their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). 1.5°C depends on the efforts of the G20 countries. Their NDCs must be aligned with global commitments to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030.
There is also a great need for public finance to provide relief for projects in high-risk countries and to finance key infrastructure. Such financing could be provided in part by reducing fossil fuel subsidies.
A recent study published in the prestigious journal Nature has highlighted the benefits of Brazil’s maize-based second crop ethanol production system and emphasised its compatibility with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The aim of the study was to carefully assess the socio-economic and environmental impacts of Brazil’s rapidly expanding and globally recognised energy and food production system. Despite its rapid and short history, the production of corn ethanol in Brazil has already reached 6.3 billion litres in 2024 and is expected to reach 13 to 15 billion litres in 2032, according to the EPE. In addition to expanding production, there are plans to add the carbon capture and storage system (BECCS), which may be the first project of its kind in Latin America and the world. https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/brazilian-second-crop-corn-reduces-ghg-and-improves-food-security-says-nature-sustainability-study-302253332.html
In California, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) voted to strengthen the LCFS, aiming to reduce the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 30% by 2030 and 90% by 2045. This move is seen as a reaffirmation of California’s commitment to combating climate change, especially in light of federal policy shifts. As state Senator Henry Stern stated, “California has a long history of enacting visionary and affordable climate policies that are durable enough to endure major shifts in national politics.” https://ww2.arb.ca.gov/news/carb-updates-low-carbon-fuel-standard-increase-access-cleaner-fuels-and-zero-emission
Recent data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that US ethanol production hit a new record last week, averaging 1.113 million barrels per day, up from the previous record set in July (1.109 million bpd). https://ethanolproducer.com/articles/eia-ethanol-production-reaches-record-high-stocks-up-slightly-exports-up-32
Idemitsu Kosan Co. and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company have agreed to establish a supply system for e-methanol and biomethanol in Japan by March 2026. The new supply system for e-methanol and biomethanol, which is aimed at marine fuel applications, is expected to accelerate demand and expand the market. https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/idemitsu-and-mitsubishi-partner-for-sustainable-fuels-1033987070
BASF and AM Green B.V. have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 28 October to jointly assess and develop business opportunities for low carbon chemicals produced exclusively with renewable energy and the corresponding value chains in India. The production of low-carbon chemicals is to take place in India, including joint new technologies. The collaboration also includes a non-binding letter of intent for the purchase of 100,000 tonnes per annum of ammonia produced exclusively from renewable energy, including energy from pumped storage projects from AM Green’s plants at various locations in India. https://www.fuelsandlubes.com/basf-and-am-green-sign-mou-for-green-ammonia-and-low-carbon-chemicals-in-india/
Simply Blue Group has collaborated with the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi’kmaw Chiefs to establish a path forward focused on sustainable development. The collaboration aims to integrate Mi’kmaw knowledge and values into Simply Blue Group’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel Project in Goldboro, Nova Scotia, ensuring environmental stewardship and mutual benefits. https://biofuels-news.com/news/simply-blue-group-and-nova-scotia-mikmaw-chiefs-sign-mou-for-responsible-development-of-saf-project/
That Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) and Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) have come together to establish a biogas plant at Tirumala, with a capacity to handle 40 tons per day to ensure sustainable energy generation as well as efficient waste management. https://globalflowcontrol.com/newsroom/ttd-and-iocl-collaborate-to-establish-biogas-plant-at-tirumala/
India’s Grain Ethanol Manufacturers Association (GEMA) has warned the petroleum and natural gas minister that its members do not have long-term offtake agreements (LTOAs) with oil marketing companies (OMCs), creating inherent instability for them. Many of them were set up with government grants and soft loans to fill the gap left by sugarcane-based ethanol when sugarcane becomes unstable, but instead the instability has been shifted to the grain ethanol producers who have received only 50-64% of the first and second quarter allocation in the current season. https://bioenergytimes.com/gema-urges-petroleum-minister-to-waive-penalties-of-rs-110-crore-for-shortfall-in-grain-ethanol-supply-by-deps-in-esy-2023-24/
The Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company, along with other shareholders, has formed the Egypt Sustainable Aviation Fuel Company to develop a 120,000 tonne SAF plant near Alexandria worth $530 million. The company, 15% of whose shareholders are from the private sector and the remaining shares are held by public companies, plans to use waste fuel for the plant, which is expected to be operational in the next few years. The fuel is expected to reduce carbon emissions by 400,000 tonnes per year. https://www.safinvestor.com/news/146400/egypt/
The UK Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) will provisionally maintain a countervailing measure on biodiesel imported from Argentina. In a statement of essential facts, the TRA proposed to maintain the duty payable on imports of biodiesel from Argentina at a range of 25% to 33.4% until February 2029. https://ibexpub.media/uk-trade-remedies-authority-proposes-maintaining-countervailing-measure-on-argentinian-biodiesel-imports/
Mercantile & Maritime Group in the United Arab Emirates, a global energy and logistics services provider, has announced the expansion of its wholly owned and operated MENA Terminals facility in Fujairah to include a landmark USD 600 million biofuel processing plant. The biofuel facility at MENA Terminals will be expanded by more than 1 million square metres and is scheduled for completion by 2026. Once operational, it will produce up to 150 million litres of sustainable aviation fuel annually, equivalent to almost 10% of SAF’s current global production. https://gulfnews.com/business/energy/new-biofuel-facility-in-uae-to-produce-150-million-litres-of-sustainable-aviation-fuel-1.1730800372641
Nufarm acquired biomass oil trait technology developed by CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency in recent years, comprising a significant estate of patents and know-how relating to technology traits that when deployed into crops enable novel production and accumulation of oil in plant tissue. This acquisition and subsequent potential advancements are intended to bring new sustainable oil feedstock volumes to downstream industries. https://biofuels-news.com/news/nufarm-announces-partnerships-to-further-expand-biofuel-platform/
Veolia and SYTTOM have announced a strategic partnership for the next 25 years under a maritime public service contract that includes the construction and management of a new waste-to-energy plant in Saint-Pantaléon-de-Larche, near Brive-la-Gaillarde (France). https://www.marketwatch.com/story/veolia-becomes-the-first-local-energy-producer-from-waste-in-correze-2d11cac6
Blue Biofuels has officially contracted with the engineering firm, Global Management Partners (GMP), to produce Front-End Loading (FEL-2) level engineering plans for a production facility capable of producing three million gallons of biofuel per year from cellulosic biomass. These plans will outline the specifics of how the facility will be built and operated. https://www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/news/2024/11/blue-biofuels-and-gmp-to-engineer-and-design-cellulosic-ethanol-production-facility/
OMV Petrom will supply sustainable aviation fuel to Romanian state-owned airline Tarom from January 2025, based on a contract signed by the two companies. OMV will supply the fuel to four airports in Romania, namely Henri Coandă International Airport in Bucharest, Avram Iancu International Airport in Cluj, Traian Vuia International Airport in Timișoara and Iași International Airport. https://www.omvpetrom.com/en/news/omv-petrom-and-tarom-signed-a-contract-for-the-supply-of-sustainable-aviation-fuel-saf-
Topsoe has signed an agreement with Refinaria de Petróleo Riograndense SA (Riograndense), to provide its HydroFlex and H2bridge technologies for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel production at Riograndense’s Rio Grande renewable fuels plant in Brazil. https://biomassmagazine.com/articles/topsoe-to-provide-technology-for-saf-project-in-brazil
The Indian government has invited proposals for setting up Centres of Excellence (CoEs) for research and development of green hydrogen. This move is part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which aims to position India as a leader in sustainable energy. https://mnre.gov.in/notice/call-for-proposals-for-setting-up-centres-of-excellence-coes-under-research-and-development-rd-scheme-of-the-national-green-hydrogen-mission-nghm/
Picture by: COP29 Behind the Scens Day 1 (cop29a6082) | Behind the Scene… | Flickr