Ladies and Gentlemen,
According to a new report, climate lawsuits against companies are on the rise worldwide, and most of them are successful. The report by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) – Global trends in climate change litigation: 2024 snapshot – says that around 230 climate lawsuits have been filed against business organisations and companies since 2015, more than two-thirds of them since 2020. One of the fastest growing types of litigation concerns “climate scrubbing”. According to the report, 47 of these lawsuits were filed against governments and companies last year.
The report states that more than 140 such cases have been filed to date on the subject of climate scrubbing, making this one of the fastest growing areas of litigation, according to a press release from the LSE. Of the nearly 140 climate laundering cases between 2016 and 2023, official decisions were made in 77 cases, 54 of which were in favour of the plaintiffs.
In 2023, more than 30 “polluter pays” lawsuits were filed worldwide to hold companies accountable for climate damage allegedly caused by their greenhouse gas emissions.
The analysis of the report, which you will find attached, is based on more than 2,600 climate cases compiled by the Sabin Centre. With 129 cases, the USA filed the most climate lawsuits last year. The United Kingdom was in second place with 24 cases, followed by Brazil with 10, Germany with seven and Australia with six.
I have also attached a presentation by Rod Williams, which he gave at this year’s fuel conference in Berlin on the subject of E10+.
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that ethanol production rose to 1.064 million barrels (150 k tonnes) per day last week, an increase of 21,000 barrels per day compared to the previous week. The margins of most producers remain good, which favours an increase in production. https://www.dtnpf.com/agriculture/web/ag/news/business-inputs/article/2024/07/03/eia-domestic-ethanol-output-2-week
The Prime Minister of Pakistan has set up a committee headed by the Petroleum Minister and comprising the Finance Minister, the Minister of State for Finance and the Secretary, Petroleum Department to study the blending of ethanol in petrol. The committee will look at international best practices and analyse previous failed attempts to blend ethanol domestically to create a roadmap leading to implementation. https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1205466-government-exploring-ethanol-blended-petrol
The global biomass gasification market has exhibited a projected CAGR of 8.58% from 2019 to 2029 and is expected to reach a market valuation of USD 143 billion by 2029, up from USD 85.49 billion last year. The study notes that biomass gasification is gaining traction due to technological advancements and rising global energy demand. The renewed focus on sustainable practices is steering the market towards innovative solutions that promise cleaner energy while addressing waste management, according to Resarch and Markets. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2024/06/19/2901026/0/en/Biomass-Gasification-Industry-Forecast-to-Cross-143-Billion-by-2029-IGCC-Systems-Revolutionizing-Power-Generation-with-Enhanced-Efficiency-Sustainability-and-Adaptability.html
Increased use of renewable liquid fuels in light-duty vehicles would lead to greater and faster reductions in greenhouse gas emissions than the EPA’s recently finalised tailpipe emissions standards for electric vehicles, according to a new study commissioned by the RFA and conducted by an independent, non-profit research institute. The study also found that if automakers rely primarily on BEVs to meet the EPA’s tailpipe emissions standards, and if 17 states adopt California’s “zero-emission vehicle” mandate, U.S. liquid fuel consumption will drop by 38 billion gallons in 2035 and electricity consumption will drop by 480 terawatt-hours (about twice as much electricity as California uses annually). https://ethanolrfa.org/media-and-news/category/news-releases/article/2024/06/new-studies-low-carbon-fuels-ffvs-more-effective-at-reducing-ghg-emissions-than-de-facto-ev-mandates
Cepsa Química and the Persán Group have signed an agreement to transport chemical products from Cepsa to the Sevillian company using 100% renewable diesel (HVO). With this agreement to promote sustainability in the transport of these products, both companies will avoid the emission of around 126 tonnes of CO2 per year, an amount equivalent to that absorbed by a forest of over 8,000 trees in the same period. You can find the press release as PFD at: https://www.cepsa.com/stfls/corporativo/FICHEROS/np_cepsa-persan-use-biofuels-sustainable-transport.pdf
The Vertex Bioenergy Group has commissioned a new plant in the Escombreras Valley of Cartagena which, following an investment of five million euros, will enable the production and sale of corn oil. The annual production capacity of the plant is 4,000 tonnes with the possibility of storing 400 tonnes in tanks. Vertex Bioenergy relied on the engineering firm Katzen for the planning of this project and on Indes Techincs & Solutions for its realisation. https://www.qcintel.com/biofuels/article/vertex-bioenergy-starts-5m-bio-feedstock-plant-in-cartagena-26591.html
In Jülich, Synhelion recently inaugurated the world’s first large-scale plant for the production of synthetic fuels using solar heat. With the inauguration of DAWN, Synhelion proves that the technology for producing solar fuels is ready for large-scale production. The renewable fuels will demonstrate the technology’s potential to defossilise the transport sector, especially aviation. https://synhelion.com/news/synhelion-inaugurates-dawn
BP announced that it will acquire Bunge’s 50% stake in its joint venture bp Bunge Bioenergia S.A., one of Brazil’s leading biofuel producers. Upon completion of the acquisition, bp will become the sole owner of the company, which produces sugar cane and ethanol on an industrial scale. https://www.bp.com/en/global/corporate/news-and-insights/press-releases/bp-to-acquire-full-ownership-of-bp-bunge-bioenergia-while-refocusing-plans-for-new-biofuels-projects.html
SOLER and INERATEC are planning to build an innovative biocarbon and e-fuel production plant in the south of France, which will serve as a model for other projects. This plant will avoid 100,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year by using the syngas produced as a by-product of biocarbon extracted from wood waste using SOLER’s cutting-edge technology. In the advanced power-to-liquid plant, synthesis gas is used to produce carbon-neutral fuels. You can find the press release as PFD at: https://soler-group.com/wp-content/uploads/SOLER-x-INERATEC-PR-061324-E-Fuel-production-thanks-to-biocarbon.pdf
The Hotelplan Group, a globally active Swiss travel group in the business travel sector, is purchasing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from Neste. This will enable Hotelplan to expand the use of SAF throughout the Group. Hotelplan will purchase unblended, i.e. “clean”, sustainable aviation fuel totalling 300,000 Swiss francs (CHF) through Neste Impact, a solution that enables companies to credibly reduce the carbon footprint of air travel. https://bioenergyinternational.com/hotelplan-group-secures-saf-via-neste-impact/
HDF Energy, the manufacturer of high-performance fuel cells and developer of large-scale hydrogen infrastructure, announces that the European Commission has approved financial support from France for its industrial project under the IPCEIs (Important Projects of Common European Interest). The grant of up to USD 184 million is earmarked for the development and industrialisation of high performance hydrogen fuel cells at HDF Energy’s plant near Bordeaux. https://www.hdf-energy.com/
Tesco has taken delivery of 50 state-of-the-art biomethane-fuelled trucks to be used across its Irish distribution network. The new biomethane-fuelled trucks are being commissioned as part of Tesco’s wider strategy to reduce CO2 emissions and improve the company’s environmental credentials. https://www.farmersjournal.ie/news/news/tesco-to-switch-to-biomethane-transport-fleet-825747
The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the Spanish company Cepsa, signed a EUR 285 million loan agreement for the construction of a modern biofuel plant to be built in Palos de la Frontera (Andalusia). The plant, which Cepsa is building together with Bio-Oils, will produce sustainable aviation fuel and renewable diesel (HVO) from organic waste such as used cooking oil or agricultural waste. Once operational, the plant is expected to process up to 600,000 tonnes of waste and produce up to 500,000 tonnes of second-generation biofuels annually. https://www.eib.org/en/press/all/2024-227-eib-and-cepsa-sign-eur285-million-loan-to-finance-the-construction-of-a-second-generation-biofuels-plant-in-spain
The European Commission has authorised, under EU state aid rules, a €3 billion Swedish scheme to promote carbon capture and storage, which aims to reduce carbon dioxide (“biogenic CO2“) released during the combustion or processing of biomass. The measure will contribute to the achievement of Sweden’s climate targets and the EU’s strategic objectives under the European Green Deal, in particular the target of climate neutrality by 2050. https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_3583
Certas Energy has developed a fleet offset calculator for HVO that allows companies to calculate when and how much HVO should be blended to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while offsetting the higher costs that HVO can incur compared to fossil diesel. As this sector accounts for a large proportion of diesel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, the company believes it could make a big difference if all operators were to incorporate even a little HVO into their fleets. V
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Brussels has arrested two suspects in connection with an investigation into customs fraud involving the import of biodiesel, which resulted in an estimated loss of €3.1 million. The two suspects, who hold dual citizenship (Bosnian and US), were arrested last month as part of a trial at the court in Antwerp, where they were on trial in another case conducted by the Belgian public prosecutor’s office, also involving biodiesel fraud. https://www.eppo.europa.eu/en/media/news/belgium-eppo-arrests-two-suspects-eu31-million-biodiesel-fraud-investigation
Leading scientists from Acelen Renewables, Embrapii and Embrapa launched the project to technologically develop the macauba palm for the production of renewable aviation fuel (SAF), green diesel (HVO), thermal energy and other value-added by-products. The open innovation partnership is intended to contribute to the domestication of the macauba, the subsequent establishment of commercial plantations and the optimal utilisation of its fruit for more effective processes for the extraction of high-quality oils and the production of organic products. https://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/embrapa-and-acelen-renewables-begin-macauba-domestication-for-aviation-fuel-and-bioproducts
South Korean company Korea Western Power is planning to build a biofuel plant in the Ferghana region of Uzbekistan using cotton stalks as feedstock. The fuel is then to be offered as an alternative to coal heating in greenhouses in the region in order to meet farmers’ demand for clean energy. A South Korean institute is also looking into building a “smart” greenhouse in the country to support the sector. https://kun.uz/en/news/2024/07/02/korean-western-power-plans-to-build-a-biofuel-plant-in-uzbekistan
Lufthansa Group is introducing an Environmental Cost Surcharge. The surcharge is intended to cover part of the steadily rising additional costs due to regulatory environmental requirements. These include the statutory blending quota of initially two percent for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for departures from European Union (EU) countries from January 1, 2025, adjustments to the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) as well as other regulatory environmental costs such as the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA). https://business.lufthansagroup.com/de/en/news/lhg-environmental-cost-surcharge
OMV Petrom has signed a contract with Romanian Expur S.A. for the supply of fully refined vegetable oil. It will be used as feedstock for the Petrobrazi sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable diesel (HVO) refinery production plant, for which the company has recently made a final investment decision. The contract has been concluded for a period of six years, with the possibility of an extension for a further two years, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028. https://www.sustainability-today.ro/index.php/2024/06/28/omv-petrom-secures-its-raw-material-for-the-production-of-sustainable-fuels/
Shell Raffinaderij B.V. will temporarily suspend construction work on its 820,000 tonne per year biofuel plant in Rotterdam to improve project execution and ensure future competitiveness under current market conditions. plant in Rotterdam to improve project execution and ensure future competitiveness under current market conditions. https://www.shell.com/news-and-insights/newsroom/news-and-media-releases/2024/shell-to-temporarily-pause-on-site-construction-of-european-biofuels-facility.html