- A study of Europa Oil & Gas’s planned Irish offshore gas project has found that its expected emissions would be significantly lower than either domestically produced or imported gas currently used here, the company has said. The independent research was conducted by Sustainable, a UK advisory company that specialises in forecasting greenhouse gas emissions associated with the oil and gas industry. https://www.independent.ie/business/irish/gas-brought-to-shore-from-mayo-coast-will-produce-lower-emissions-than-imported-fuel-says-exploration-firm/a103324231.html
- One of the most eye catching commitments in the 2020 programme for government was to ban the sale of new fossil fuel cars in Ireland from 2030. You might be wondering why you haven’t heard too much about that ambitious plan of late. That’s because it was quietly dropped by the government last year, as revealed by this publication, after the EU warned Ireland it could not legislate alone on the issue, due to EU competition rules.? Instead, Ireland is to remain in lock-step with the EU’s plan for an effective ban on fossil fuel cars by 2035, five years later than Green Party leader Eamon Ryan had hoped. https://www.businesspost.ie/analysis-opinion/analysis-calls-grow-to-reverse-2035-ban-on-fossil-fuel-cars-as-ev-sales-stagnate/
- UK-headquartered oil and gas company Trident Energy?has expanded its footprint on Africa’s oil and gas scene by inking strategic agreements with two oil majors, the U.S.-based Chevron and France’s TotalEnergies, which enable it to get its hands on offshore acreage in the Republic of Congo. https://www.offshore-energy.biz/uk-firm-steps-into-congos-oil-gas-offshore-arena-through-deals-with-chevron-and-totalenergies/
- NATSO, representing truck stops and travel plazas, and SIGMA, America’s leading fuel marketers, have commended the Biden Administration for permitting summertime sales of gasoline containing 15% ethanol (E15) to ensure optimal fuel availability for consumers during the busy summer driving season. Allowing E15 to be sold during the peak driving season will help to ensure the nation does not experience disruptions in the fuel supply or higher costs for consumers should unforeseen circumstances tighten supplies. https://biofuels-news.com/news/fuel-retailers-applaud-epa-action-allowing-summer-sales-of-e15/
- New SAF mandate set to come into force from next year providing major boost to nascent market, but campaigners question sector's ability to curb emissions. The government has today (25 April) confirmed long-awaited plans for a new Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Mandate, which would require all flights taking off in the UK to ensure 10% of their fuel comes from sustainable-certified sources by 2030. The target is subject to parliamentary approval, but it is expected to come into effect January next year paving the way for a major increase in SAF production capacity in the UK. https://www.businessgreen.com/news/4201217/government-confirms-target-cent-jet-fuel-sustainable-2030
- EU countries are proposing major delays and exemptions to a fuel tax overhaul meant to push Europe toward a more climate-friendly future, wary of the growing discontent over environmental policies, according to documents seen by POLITICO. The legislation, dubbed the Energy Taxation Directive, is meant to raise fossil fuel tax rates and drive people away from carbon-spewing energy sources — part of the EU’s attempt to hit its ambitious climate targets. https://www.politico.eu/article/european-union-fuel-tax-energy-taxation-directive
- According to the Guardian the share of Great Britain’s electricity generated by burning fossil fuels plummeted to unprecedented lows this month, ahead of plans to begin running a “zero-carbon grid” for short periods from next year. Electricity generated by burning gas and coal fell to a record low of just 2.4% for an hour at lunchtime on Monday 15 April, according to an analysis of data from National Grid’s electricity system operator (ESO). https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/apr/24/share-electricity-generated-by-fossil-fuels-great-britain-record-low
- The Energy Post reported that Green hydrogen must be made from green electricity. But the electricity used for making it must fulfil stricter requirements than conventional green electricity. Matthis Brinkhaus at Energy Brainpool describes the criteria by which hydrogen can be designated as 100% renewable: Additionality; Additionality Plus; Temporal correlation, simultaneity; Geographical correlation, regionality. Brinkhaus points at where exceptions can be made, and where power purchase agreements (PPAs) are essential. https://energypost.eu/strict-rules-stop-green-hydrogen-production-diverting-clean-power-from-the-grid-what-are-they/
- The Offshore Energy reported that UK’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have discussed cooperation in energy and renewables and agreed on a feasibility study for hydrogen exports from the UK to Germany. The two leaders discussed the study during a meeting on April 24, in Berlin, Germany, aimed to deepen cooperation between the two countries. https://www.offshore-energy.biz/uk-and-germany-strengthen-hydrogen-ties/
- As reported by Agriland an Irish MEP is calling on the European Commission and EU member states to review how policy is formed, following comments from the European Court of Auditors (ECA) on electric vehicles (EVs). The ECA is the EU institution which oversees the EU’s budget, monitoring expenditure to ensure it is in line with the EU’s policies. https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/mep-calls-for-wake-up-call-in-eu-after-electric-vehicles-warning/
- Euro News reported that electric cars will have to become cheaper in Europe, one of the key steps to avoid jeopardising the continent's 2050 climate goals, suggest the latest studies from the EU's external auditor. The?European Court of Auditors (ECA) released an overview of its four recently published special reports, giving a stark warning to the EU about its current policies for decarbonising the transport sector (accounting for 25% of the overall CO2 emissions).?https://www.euronews.com/business/2024/04/25/electric-cars-need-to-be-cheaper-in-europe-to-reach-net-zero-emission-goals-says-eca
- The Irish Examiner reported that the EU needs to rethink its policies to make a 2035 ban on new petrol car sales feasible as electric vehicles (EVs) remain unaffordable and alternative fuel options are not credible, the EU's external auditor said, jeopardising its 2050 climate goals. The 27-member bloc wants to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, meaning it will emit no more than it can balance out with measures to remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere such as reforestation programmes. https://www.irishexaminer.com/business/economy/arid-41381317.html
