Policy News

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on governments worldwide to support the development of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a critical step to achieving its target to cut net emissions by 2050. This target was reinforced by a resolution at IATA’s 76th AGM, which also commits the industry to exploring pathways to net zero emissions. “We have long known that an…
Read More »

A coalition of US biofuels and agricultural trade groups filed a motion asking the courts to enforce its 2017 decision over the improper waiver of 500 million gallons of biofuel demand. In the court of appeals hearing, the group demanded that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) address the renewable volume obligation (RVO) controversy. The coalition, which includes Growth Energy,…
Read More »

A Sustainable Aviation Fuel Act, an innovative bill that takes a first step toward cutting the climate-harming pollution from aircraft, has been introduced in the US. The bill, introduced by Julia Brownley (D-CA), sets clear targets for the aviation sector to cut emissions to put the sector on a path to net-zero emissions by 2050. The bill provides incentives for the production of high…
Read More »

The Government’s decision to phase-out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2030 and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles by 2035 has been welcomed by the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA). The REA represents around 550 companies, including more than 150 operating across the production and distribution of renewable transport fuels, including liquid…
Read More »

The Biofuture Platform is leading calls for urgent collaboration from policymakers following a 12% drop in biofuel output this year announced in the International Energy Agency. The multi-stakeholder initiative designed to take action on climate change by promoting international coordination on the sustainable low-carbon bioeconomy, has labelled this as a potentially critical setback, which…
Read More »

The European Commission has granted the continuation of tax exemption measures for biofuels in Sweden. Sweden has exempted liquid biofuels from energy and CO₂ taxation since 2002 under EU state aid rules. The scheme was continued following the Commission decision until 31 December and this has now been extended to 31 December 2021. The reason for the tax exemption measure was to increase…
Read More »

BP has pledged to become net emissions neutral by 2050. The energy giant, one of the biggest in the world, said in a statement recently it aimed to reach net zero emissions “by 2050 or sooner” and would push to get the world net neutral over the same time scale. The company has pledged to lobby for carbon taxes around the world and said it would launch a new team to “help countries,…
Read More »

The European Commission’s decision to introduce surveillance measures on imports of renewable ethanol from third countries is an important step towards preventing a surge in imports to the EU renewable ethanol industry, according to ePURE. The decision, taken at the initiative of France and supported by an overwhelming majority of member states, follows an action from the European renewable…
Read More »

Clariant has announced continuing operations sales of CHF $2.838 billion (€2.62 billion) in the first nine months of 2020 - compared to CHF $3.272 billion (€2.99 billion) in the first nine months of last year. This corresponded to a decrease of 6% in local currency due to lower demand and 13% in Swiss francs attributable to unfavourable currency developments. As a result of the COVID-19…
Read More »

Pacific Ethanol has announced the company’s strategic realignment to focus on speciality alcohols. Over the past nine months, the company increased production of speciality alcohols used in consumer products and reduced fuel grade ethanol production. The company’s production mix shifted from approximately 85% fuel grade ethanol and 15% specialty alcohols used in consumer products during…
Read More »

Thailand has set a target of achieving 30% of its power generation from renewables by 2036 as part of its low carbon transition plan. The renewable growth will be led by biofuels followed by solar PV and then wind. Palm oil among others are the major potential biomass energy sources in the south-east Asian state. Thailand’s power sector is heavily dependent on fossil fuels with 81% share in…
Read More »

Cross-party MPs from across the political spectrum voiced support for sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and decarbonisation. MPs spoke out about the need to back early stage sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facilities in the country. The debate, Work of the Jet Zero Council, took place in Westminster Hall and was secured by a member of the Conservative Environment Network, Andrew Selous MP. MPs…
Read More »

The founder and executive chairman of Praj Industries was chosen to receive the prestigious 2020 George Washington Carver Award for Innovation in Industrial Biotechnology and Agriculture. Washington DC-based Biotechnology Innovation Organisation (BIO) announced that Dr Pramod Chaudhari became the first Indian and second Asian recipient of this global honour. BIO, the world's largest trade…
Read More »