by Sonja van Renssen (Energy Post) Biofuels are returning to the political agenda in Europe as EU policymakers start to shape a strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from transport after 2020. Biofuels producers continue to argue that they are
European Emissions Trading System (ETS)
Back TO HOMEAircraft Operators Rack up over $1 Million in UK Penalties for Non-Compliance with EU ETS
(GreenAir Online) Following the civil penalties handed out to five aircraft operators last June (see article), a further 18 operators of corporate or VIP aircraft and two airlines have been issued with penalties for failing to surrender sufficient EU ETS allowances
January 15, 2016 Read Full Article
Kyoto Protocol's Carbon Credit Scheme ‘Increased Emissions by 600m Tonnes’
by Arthur Neslen (The Guardian) Major UNFCCC carbon trading scheme hit by serious corruption allegations involving organised crime in Russia and Ukraine -- A key carbon offsetting scheme was so open to abuse that three quarters of its allowances lacked environmental
August 25, 2015 Read Full Article
Why Airlines Keep Pushing Biofuels: They Have No Choice
by Jonathan Fahey and Scott Mayerowitz (Associated Press) The number of global fliers is expected to more than double in the next two decades. In order to carry all those extra passengers, airlines are turning to a technology very few can
July 28, 2015 Read Full Article
U.S. May Take First Step to Curb Airline Emissions This Week: Sources
by Valerie Volcovici (Planet Ark/Reuters) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency plans as soon as Friday to determine whether carbon dioxide from aircraft endangers public health, a first step to regulating emissions from the aviation sector, sources familiar with the rulemaking
June 03, 2015 Read Full Article
Ending International Aviation’s $65 Billion Fuel Tax Exemption an Essential Step towards Decarbonisation
by Andrew Murphy (Transport & Environment (T&E)/GreenAirOnline) ... The airline industry predicts a massive increase in the use of alternative fuels, although most experts predict an uptake of only a few percentage points in the coming years. More optimistic projections remain purely
April 24, 2015 Read Full Article
The Challenge of Finding a Legal Vehicle to Enforce Compliance with a Global Aviation Emissions Scheme
(GreenAirOnline) By agreeing to develop a global market-based mechanism (MBM) for international civil aviation, ICAO’s 38th Assembly has set the expectation that such a scheme will be adopted in 2016 and that it will be operational by 2020. ICAO has
November 24, 2014 Read Full Article
EU Leaders Slow further Decarbonisation of the Transport Sector from UFOP: Sustainability Certification a Discontinued Model?
(UFOP/Union zur Förderung von Oel- und Proteinpflanzen) Without a continuation of binding for all Member States targets of greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector, the Union fears for the Promotion of Oil and Protein Plants (UFOP) to phase out
November 03, 2014 Read Full Article
EU GHG Deal Calls for 27 Percent Renewables by 2030
by Erin Voegele (Biomass Magazine) On Oct. 24, the European Council issued a statement announcing it has agreed on the 2030 climate and energy policy framework for the European Union. The council has endorsed a binding EU target of at
October 31, 2014 Read Full Article
Study Finds a Carbon Gap of 220 Million Tonnes in 2023 Will Require Offsetting by the Airline Industry
(GreenAir Online) Even with improvements in aircraft technology, airline efficiencies and operational improvements, together with the introduction of biofuels, there will be a sizeable carbon gap between commercial aviation forecasts and industry targets by 2023, according to a study by consultancy
October 31, 2014 Read Full Article
Specific actions for the Transport Sector in the EU 2030 Climate and Energy Framework
(EBB-EU.org) ...(T)he undersigned associations and companies representing all the steps of the EU biofuels chain would like to underline the following points: • The EU transport sector, being largely dependent on fossil fuels and on massive fuel and crude oil
October 30, 2014 Read Full Article
The Next Government’s Blueprint for Green Energy
(Renewable Energy Association) REA sets out comprehensive manifesto for renewable heat, power and transport The next government will be responsible for the UK succeeding – or failing – in meeting its 2020 renewable energy targets. It could also be the government that
September 15, 2014 Read Full Article
Critical week for the Aviation EU ETS as MEPs Hear Arguments on which Proposal to Support
(GreenAirOnline) With a crucial vote in the European Parliament this week, MEPs will be presented with two choices that will likely determine the future of the Aviation EU ETS until at least 2016. As the lead environment committee (ENVI) voted
April 02, 2014 Read Full Article
Carbon Market Lessons and Global Policy Outlook
by Richard G. Newell, William A. Pizer, Daniel Raimi (Science Magazine) Prices in the European Union's (EU) Emissions Trading System (EU-ETS) spent 2013 at historic lows. Elected officials have promised to repeal the Australian carbon market. Yet five new regional carbon
March 21, 2014 Read Full Article
EU Proposal to Unilaterally Regulate International Flights in EU ETS Puts Global Scheme at Risk, Says 'Shocked' IATA
(GreenAir Online) The proposal by the European Commission to include international aviation in its ETS without any international consultation could re-open the threat of trade wars and distract States from focusing on working together to develop a global market-based climate
December 31, 2013 Read Full Article
IATA’s Tyler Warns ETS Could Distract From ICAO-Brokered Offsetting Plan
by Jens Flottau (Aviation Week) Tony Tyler, Director General and CEO of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), is very concerned that the dispute about which flights will be included in the European Union emissions trading scheme (ETS) will make ICAO-facilitated
December 13, 2013 Read Full Article
European Commission Proposes Airline Carbon Charge for EU Airspace
by Barbara Lewis (Reuters) The European Union on Wednesday revived a proposal to charge foreign airlines for emissions over European airspace, drawing the ire of airline groups who say it goes against spirit of a recent global aviation deal and
October 28, 2013 Read Full Article
An NGO Message for the ICAO Assembly: Introduce a Global Market-Based Measure Now
(GreenAir Online) ... On regional measures, where the subtext is aviation’s future in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), any environmental credibility was nullified by US insistence on limiting emissions covered to those within regional airspace. If all 191 member
September 19, 2013 Read Full Article
ICAO Emissions Deal Moving Closer
by Jens Flottau (Aviation Week) A compromise solution on a global market-based measures (MBM) scheme to tackle aviation emissions appears to be nearing ahead of this month’s International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) assembly. According to several people familiar with the negotiations,
September 05, 2013 Read Full Article
Green Water: Can the U.S. Navy Win the Eco-Arms Race?
by Ray Mabus (Foreign Policy) With domestic oil production up, imports declining, and new oil and gas reserves being discovered, some question whether energy remains, or ever was, a security challenge and military vulnerability for the United States. The rise
August 07, 2013 Read Full Article
Colonialism and the Green Economy: Villagers Defy Pressure to Forfeit Farms for Carbon-Offset
by Daniel C Marotta and Jennifer Coute-Marotta (Truthout) All names are fictitious as sources requested anonymity out of fear of retaliation. Anonymity and people's requests that no pictures be taken were prerequisites for attaining interviews. No one wanted to go
January 14, 2013 Read Full Article
European Commission Backs Down on EU ETS and Agrees to 'Stop the Clock' on International Aviation Emissions
(GreenAirOnline) EU Climate Commissioner Connie Hedegaard announced this morning the EU will suspend enforcement of the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) to airlines flying to and from Europe in order to allow ICAO to continue its progress towards a
November 12, 2012 Read Full Article
Carbon Offsetting Rather than Emissions Trading Becoming Favoured Route as ICAO Looks towards a Global Scheme
(GreenAirOnline) As ICAO expert groups continue their work on a global market-based approach to limiting the growth of international aviation emissions, it is beginning to emerge that carbon offsetting, rather than emissions trading, is the favoured option for States and
November 08, 2012 Read Full Article
Climatic Conditions Make Abu Dhabi Ideal for Commercial Production of Biofuels from Algae
(United Arab Emirates/AMEInfo.com) Abu Dhabi's abundant sunshine and climate make it a near-ideal location for growing algae for commercial production of biofuels. Such unique geographic and climatic conditions further enhance the opportunity for the Emirate to become a leading developer
November 01, 2012 Read Full Article
UK Government Uncertainty over Whether to Include International Aviation Emissions in Carbon Budgets
(GreenAirOnline) With emissions from aviation and shipping likely to make up a quarter of the total UK output by 2050, it would be impossible to achieve national climate objectives without including the two sectors in reduction targets, the head of
October 26, 2012 Read Full Article
RETECH 2012: Policy and Planes
by Josh Rathod (Advanced Biofuels USA) RETECH 2012, an international conference on the business, policy, and technology of renewable energy, took place this year in DC at the regal Omni Shoreham hotel in Washington, DC. Under the luxurious chandeliers and
October 24, 2012 Read Full Article
Exclusive: BA's Biofuels Plant Set for Take-Off before the End of the Year
by Will Nichols (Business Green) Preferred site has been chosen for London facility set to generate two per cent of BA's fuel from waste BA is set to begin initial construction on a planned biofuel-from-waste plant before the end of the
September 30, 2012 Read Full Article
Europe Considers Suspending Airline Emissions Charge
(Associated Press/The Guardian) Officials stress the need to avert a trade war with major economic powers such as China and the United States European officials signaled on Tuesday that they may recommend the suspension of the continent's carbon emission fees for airlines to
September 24, 2012 Read Full Article
Renewables and Emissions Trading: Do Schemes like the EU ETS Work?
by Richard Baillie (Renewable Energy World) Emissions trading is growing in popularity across the globe, but doubts about its high costs and ultimate effectiveness at promoting renewable energy have hampered its adoption. The key question is whether emissions trading schemes
September 18, 2012 Read Full Article
South African Airways Aims for 50 per cent Biofuel by 2020
by Kamalpreet Badasha (SupplyManagement.com) State-owned South African Airways (SAA) aims to decrease its carbon footprint by using biofuel for 50 per cent of its fuel supply by 2020. The announcement was made by public enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba at the launch of the
August 02, 2012 Read Full Article
Aviation Biofuels: Which Airlines Are Doing What, with Whom?
by Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) ...(M)ore than 30 airlines now trialing, deploying biofuels – but who’s doing what, exactly? In Brazil, Azul Airlines announced that Amyris’s innovative renewable jet fuel sourced from Brazilian sugarcane has passed all required testing and will be used during
June 05, 2012 Read Full Article
UK Climate Advisers Recommend International Aviation Emissions Be Included in National Carbon Budgets
(GreenAir Online) The Committee on Climate Change (CCC), which advises the UK government on national carbon targets, has recommended international aviation and shipping emissions be included in carbon budgets and the UK’s 2050 overall target to reduce emissions 80 per
April 23, 2012 Read Full Article
Australia's Qantas Makes First Commercial Biofuel Flight
(AFP) Australia's Qantas Friday launched the nation's first commercial flight using a mixture of refined cooking oil, saying it would not survive if it relied solely on traditional jet fuel. The Airbus A330 left Sydney for Adelaide using a 50-50 blend
April 13, 2012 Read Full Article
Joint Letters Pushes For ETS Settlement
By Jens Flottau (Aviation Week) Nine European airlines and aerospace companies have sent similar letters to the Prime Ministers of France, the U.K. and Spain as well as Germany’s Chancellor to push for a negotiated settlement of the conflict surrounding
March 12, 2012 Read Full Article
US Legislation to Prohibit Airlines from Joining EU ETS Moves a Step Closer as Senate Bill Receives Bipartisan Support
(GreenAirOnline) A bill introduced into the US upper house by Republican Senator John Thune that would prohibit US aircraft operators from participating in the EU ETS has received backing from Senator Claire McCaskill, a Democrat. As the Democrats hold
March 09, 2012 Read Full Article
Airlines Set to Win Carbon Credits from Biofuel Flights
(EurActiv) The European Commission has asked airlines to report on "the amount of biomass" they use so that biofuels can be accounted as "zero emission" in the greenhouse gas emissions reports they are requested to produce each year under the
February 15, 2012 Read Full Article
International Air Transport Association Stresses Congestion In Emissions Spat
by Leithen Francis (Aviation Week) The International Air Transport Association’s target of carbon neutral growth from 2020 can still be achieved, but the airline industry “can’t do it on our own,” says IATA head Tony Tyler. ...Tyler also called on governments
February 13, 2012 Read Full Article
Lufthansa Ends Biofuel Trial with U.S. Flight
by Victoria Bryan (Reuters) German carrier Lufthansa is ending the trial use of a biofuel mix for its planes because it has used up stocks of certified biofuel and no other reliable supplies are available. The trial, which ran on flights between
January 10, 2012 Read Full Article
Airlines Must Pay for Carbon Emissions on European Flights, High Court Rules
by Juliet Eilperin (The Washington Post) Europe’s highest court ruled Wednesday that the European Union has the legal right to force foreign airlines to pay for their greenhouse gas emissions, a decision that could boost ticket prices but also encourage
December 23, 2011 Read Full Article
US Airlines Test Bio Fuel Flights
by John Terrett (AlJazeera) Some US airlines have begun testing enviromentally friendly fuel. And while the efforts may help the environment, unlike in the European Union, the US government does not force airliners to go green. The ecological benefits would be
December 04, 2011 Read Full Article
“Fuel Is Strategic” says Aviation Expert at ITB; Biofuels Are Key to “Thinking out of the Box”
Jim Lane (Biofuels Digest) In Germany, Dr. Jurgen Ringbeck, Senior Partner of Booz & Co said “Fuel is strategic, and there is an argument that can be made that an energy monopoly will be dominating the aviation industry.” Dr. Ringbeck