EU agrees on shipping sector GHG fuel intensity cuts

: Biofuels, Emissions, Fertilizers, Hydrogen, Natural gas, Oil products
23/03/23

The European Parliament and EU member states have today agreed that the greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity of fuels used in ships over 5,000 gross tonnage (GT) should be cut by 80pc by 2050, from a 2020 baseline, increasing the sector's contribution to the wider EU emissions target.

The parliament and council also agreed that the GHG intensity of fuels in the shipping sector needs to decrease by at least 2pc from 2025, 6pc from 2030, 14.5pc from 2035, 31pc from 2040 and 62pc as of 2045. The regulation would double count GHG cuts from renewable hydrogen and green ammonia.

The targets cover CO2, methane and nitrous oxide emissions over the full lifecycle of the fuels, according to the commission. It applies to energy used on board ships, in or between EU ports and to 50pc of the fuel used "on voyages where thee departure or arrival port is outside of the EU or in EU outermost regions".

All GHG cuts are relative to a defined 2020 GHG level of 91.16g of CO2 per MJ. The agreement also sets out that if the commission reports that the share of renewable fuels of non-biological origin (RFNBOs), including hydrogen, accounts for less than 1pc of the shipping sector fuel mix in 2031, a 2pc RFNBOs fuel use target will be set from 2034.

The commission put forward the legal proposals in July 2021 to mandate an average GHG intensity cuts for energy used in the shipping sector by 6pc by 2030, by 49pc by 2050 and by 75pc by 2050, all from 2020 levels.

It is charged with reviewing the rules by 2028, and if appropriate, proposing extending the GHG intensity cuts to smaller ships, or increasing the 50pc coverage of GHG cuts for non-EU journeys.

The political agreement, which needs to be formally approved by EU member states and the whole parliament, obliges containerships and passenger ships to use on-shore power supply from 2030 and in the rest of EU ports from 2035.

Waterborne transport accounted for 3-4pc of the bloc's total CO2 emissions in 2021, according to the EU, which said that the new targets will give the legal certainty that ship operators and fuel producers need and support production of sustainable maritime fuels on a large scale.

Swedish centre-right EPP member Jorgen Warborn said the regulation will guarantee the shipping sector long-term rules and predictability. And EU transport commissioner Adina Valean said the agreement sets a long-term signal to shipowners, operators, fuel producers, shipyards and equipment manufacturers to invest in sustainable maritime fuels and zero-emission technologies.

But German green Jutta Paulus said the compromise falls "far short" of what is "technically possible and necessary" from a climate policy perspective. "The EU limits itself to microscopic quotas for the 2020s and provides no incentives for additional investments in sustainable synthetic fuels," Paulus said, pointing to a "Swiss cheese" law with numerous exceptions.

"This is the beginning of the end for fossil fuels in shipping," said Faig Abbasov, director of shipping at campaign group Transport & Environment (T&E). "LNG is still a compliant fuel for some time," he added, noting less room for LNG to more stringent GHG reduction targets, mandates and mulitipliers for RFNBOs like hydrogen and green ammonia.

EU energy ministers had previously faced difficulties agreeing among themselves on the GHG reduction targets for the maritime sector and the on-shore power supply (OPS) requirements, penalties and geographical scope.

The European Community Shipowners' Associations (ECSA) had pushed — unsuccessfully — for member states to accept mandatory requirements on fuel suppliers so as to ensure that shipowners are not "unduly penalised" if the sustainable fuels necessary for compliance are not delivered.

ECSA secretary general Sotiris Raptis told Argus earlier this month that if fuel suppliers were not included in the regulation there would "no guarantee that there will be sufficient quantities of renewable and low carbon fuels".

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is currently only targeting a 70pc cut in CO2 emissions intensity by 2050 from a 2008 baseline, with a target to reduce total annual GHG emissions by at least 50pc by 2050. IMO member countries are focusing on "revising" their initial 2018 strategy by mid-2023.

By Dafydd ab Iago

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

24/11/22

Cop: Brazil eyes $300bn/yr for climate finance goal

Baku, 22 November (Argus) — Brazil has set out a suggestion of "at least" $300bn/yr in climate finance to be provided by developed countries to developing nations. Brazilian representatives set out their proposal today, in response to a draft text on a new climate finance goal. Brazil's proposal of $300bn/yr in climate finance by 2030 and $390bn/yr by 2035 are in line with the recommendations of a UN-mandated expert group. Negotiations at Cop are continuing late into the evening of the official last day of the conference, with no final texts in sight. Discussions centre around the new collective quantified goal (NCQG) — the climate financing that will be made available to developing countries in the coming years to help them reduce emissions and adapt to the effects of climate change. The presidency draft text released this morning put the figure at $250bn/yr by 2035, with a call for "all actors" to work towards a stretch goal of $1.3tn/yr. Representatives of developing countries have reacted angrily to the figure put forward in the text, saying it is far too low. Brazil's proposal appears to call for all of the $300bn-$390bn to be made up of direct public financing, which could then mobilise further funding to reach the $1.3tn/yr. It was inspired by the findings of a UN report, Brazil said. The UN-backed independent high-level group on climate finance today said that the $250bn/yr figure was "too low," and recommended the higher $300bn-390bn/yr goal. Brazil's ask would be a significant step up in the required public financing. The $250bn/yr target includes direct public financing and mobilised private financing, and potentially includes contributions from both developed and developing countries. Wealthier developing countries have been hesitant to see their climate financing fall in this category, which they say should be made up exclusively of developed country money, in line with the Paris Agreement. But $300bn/yr would represent an increase in ambition, Brazil said, while the $250bn/yr called for in the draft text would be very similar to the $100bn/yr goal set in 2009, after taking into account inflation. Delegates at Cop look set to continue discussions into the night. A plenary session planned for late in the evening, which would have allowed parties to express their positions in public, has been cancelled, suggesting groups still have differences to hammer out. By Rhys Talbot Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Cop: Developing nations reject first finance offer

24/11/22

Cop: Developing nations reject first finance offer

Baku, 22 November (Argus) — Developing countries at the UN Cop 29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan have rejected the first climate finance amount put forward by developed nations, and are mulling counter-offers. A revised draft text for a new climate finance goal was released earlier today. Parties are negotiating the next iteration of the $100bn/yr that developed countries agreed to deliver to developing nations over 2020-25 — known as the new collective quantified goal (NCQG). The new text stated that developed nations should contribute $250bn/yr by 2035 in climate finance for developing countries. This is up from the previous $100bn/yr that developed countries agreed to deliver over 2020-25, but still a fraction of the 1.3 trillion/yr that developing countries have been calling for. "The [$250bn/yr] offered by developed countries is a spit on the face of vulnerable nations like mine," said Panama's representative Juan Carlos Monterrey Gomez. "They offer crumbs while we bear the dead," he said, adding that the amount offered is "outrageous, evil and remorseless." There is still "a lot to fight for," said a delegate from Honduras, as others suggested that major edits to the text are likely. The negotiating block the Alliance of Small Island States (Aosis) pointed out that the text ignores minimum allocation floors for small island developing states (Sids) and least developed countries (LDCs) of at least $39bn/yr and $220bn/yr, as proposed at the start of the summit. The LDCs also complained that "rich" members of the group of 77 (G77) — a UN coalition of developing nations —insisted on no carve-outs for the poorer and most vulnerable countries, according to a Somalian delegate. The proposed $250bn/yr will severely stagnate climate action efforts and does not raise the bar from the previous ineffective $100bn/yr goal, the Aosis group said. "We cannot be expected to agree to a text which shows such contempt for our vulnerable people." Counter-offer A UN-mandated finance expert group indicated that the figure put forward by developing countries "is too low" and not consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement. The group's analysis shows that the new finance goal for developing countries, based on the components that it covers, should commit developed countries to provide at least $300bn/yr by 2030, and $390bn/yr by 2035. "We believe that these targets are feasible," the group said. Brazil indicated that the country is now pushing for these targets. The final amount for the new finance goal could potentially be around $300bn-350bn/yr, a Somalian delegate told Argus. Developed nations, in contrast, offered more muted responses. "It has been a significant lift over the past decade to meet the prior goal [of $100bn/yr]," said a senior US official, and the new goal will require even more ambition and "extraordinary reach." A delegate from Norway told Argus that the text is "something to work on" and that they were "happier than yesterday." "We should leave Baku with a goal that at least gets to $300bn/yr by 2035," said climate think-tank WRI's finance programme director Melanie Robinson. "This is achievable with projected finance, further reforms and shareholder support at multilateral banks, and some growth in bilateral funding," she said. By Prethika Nair and Rhys Talbot Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Blenders credit extension stalled in US Senate

24/11/22

Blenders credit extension stalled in US Senate

New York, 22 November (Argus) — A push for US lawmakers to extend various biofuel incentives before the end of the year has met resistance in the Senate. A growing coalition of biofuel and soybean groups has endorsed extending for one year a $1/USG federal tax credit for blenders of biomass-based diesel, which would otherwise expire after December and be replaced by the Inflation Reduction Act's carbon-intensity-based "45Z" credit. But lawmakers have various other priorities in the final weeks of this legislative session, and a staffer with the Democratic-controlled US Senate Finance Committee confirmed that prospects for a deal to extend biofuel tax credits are slim. "Republicans have showed very little interest in working with Democrats on much of anything related to tax," said Ryan Carey, chief communications advisor and deputy policy director at the Committee on Finance. "Their focus is primarily on the next Congress, when they're going to attempt to pass an extension of the first Trump tax law on a partisan basis." Another Senate office acknowledged on background that it is "unlikely" Congress will come to any major tax deal before the end of the year. Congress has other priorities for its brief lame duck session before president-elect Donald Trump begins his second term, including government funding, the federal debt limit, and a new farm bill. Tax policy could still fit into an end-of-year package, with some less controversial tax provisions and a bipartisan business tax proposal backed by Senate Finance Committee chair Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) still under discussion. But prolonging the biodiesel blenders credit — plus other biofuel credits benefiting sustainable aviation fuel and cellulosic fuels that some groups have also pushed to extend — appears to be a tougher lift. With Trump in the White House and Republicans set to control both chambers of Congress, Republicans are now preparing major tax policy legislation next year to prolong tax cuts passed during Trump's first term that are set to expire at the end of 2025. Lawmakers are likely to look at repealing some Inflation Reduction Act clean energy subsidies to help offset the cost of that proposal. Republicans on the House tax-writing committee this week requested public input on the 45Z credit specifically, a signal that they are at least open to modifications — and are already looking to tax policy next year. Biofuel subsidies are seen by analysts and lobbyists as less likely targets for repeal than other Inflation Reduction Act credits, given support for the industry among farm state lawmakers. But the request-for-information this week suggested that Republicans are wary of elements of the current 45Z credit and could support changes that benefit agribusiness. Even biofuel groups generally supportive of the 45Z credit's structure have been frustrated by President Joe Biden's administration, which has yet to issue guidance clarifying how it will calculate the carbon intensities of different fuels and feedstocks. By Cole Martin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Cop: Decision on 2026 host unlikely in Baku

24/11/22

Cop: Decision on 2026 host unlikely in Baku

Washington, 22 November (Argus) — A decision on which country will host the UN Cop 31 climate talks in 2026 may not come until next year, as Australia and Turkey vie to be the next host. Draft decision text released on Friday at Cop 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, would punt the decision and call on western European and other States to accelerate their consultations" and be prepared to present an offer to host in June 2025. Australia formally bid in 2022 to host Cop 31 and had little competition other than Turkey, which has refused to back down. Pushing the decision to next year would shorten the amount of time the eventual host has to prepare. But Azerbaijan won its hosting duties [only last year] at Cop 28 in Dubai. Brazil, the host of Cop 30, had its bid accepted in May 2023 . Under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Turkey is part of a grouping of western European countries, while Australia is in a group of "other states" that also includes Canada, Iceland, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the US. The Australian delegation in Baku did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The draft text said that Cop 32 will be held in an African country from 8-19 November 2027. By Michael Ball Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Cop: Drafts point to trade-off on finance, fossil fuels

24/11/22

Cop: Drafts point to trade-off on finance, fossil fuels

Baku, 22 November (Argus) — The new draft on the climate finance goal from the UN Cop 29 climate summit presidency has developed nations contributing $250bn/yr by 2035, while language on fossil fuels has been dropped, indicating work towards a compromise on these two central issues. There is no mention of fossil fuels in either the new draft text on the global stocktake — which follows up the outcome of Cop 28 last year, including "transitioning away" from fossil fuels — or in the new draft for the climate finance goal. Developed countries wanted a reference to moving away from fossil fuels included, indicating that not having one would be a red line. The new draft text on the climate finance goal would mark a substantial compromise for developing countries, with non-profit WRI noting that this is "the bridging text". Parties are negotiating the next iteration of the $100bn/yr that developed countries agreed to deliver to developing nations over 2020-25 — known as the new collective quantified goal (NCQG). The new draft sets out a figure of $250bn/yr by 2035, "from a wide variety of sources, public and private, bilateral and multilateral, including alternative sources". It also notes that developed countries will "take the lead". It sets out that the finance could come from multilateral development banks (MDBs) too. "It has been a significant lift over the past decade to meet the prior, smaller goal... $250bn will require even more ambition and extraordinary reach," a US official said. "This goal will need to be supported by ambitious bilateral action, MDB contributions and efforts to better mobilise private finance, among other critical factors," the official added. India had indicated earlier this week that the country was seeking around $600bn/yr for a public finance layer from developed countries. Developing countries had been asking for $1.3 trillion/yr in climate finance from developed countries, a sum which the new text instead calls for "all actors" to work toward. The draft text acknowledges the need to "enable the scaling up of financing… from all public and private sources" to that figure. On the contributor base — which developed countries have long pushed to expand — the text indicates that climate finance contributions from developing countries could supplement the finance goal. It is unclear how this language will land with developing nations. China yesterday reiterated that "the voluntary support" of the global south is not part of the goal. The global stocktake draft largely focuses on the initiatives set out by the Cop 29 presidency, on enhancing power grids and energy storage, though it does stress the "urgent need for accelerated implementation of domestic mitigation measures". It dropped a previous option, opposed by Saudi Arabia, that mentioned actions aimed at "transitioning away from fossil fuels". Mitigation, or cutting emissions, and climate finance have been the overriding issues at Cop 29. Developing countries have long said they cannot decarbonise or implement an energy transition without adequate finance. Developed countries are calling for substantially stronger global action on emissions reduction. By Georgia Gratton and Prethika Nair Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more