STX

Exciting evening at the annual Australian Ambassador to the Netherlands dinner, hosted by the Australian Business In Europe Netherlands (ABIE-NL) network! Jens Schumacher, Managing Partner at STX Group and Head of STRIVE by STX, delivered an inspiring keynote on the challenges and opportunities facing corporates in their decarbonization journeys. Jens urged the audience to embrace bold decisions, experiment with innovative solutions and foster collaboration to drive collective progress towards achieving net zero targets. Australian Ambassador Dr Greg French emphasized the deep synergies and rich history shared by Australia and the Netherlands, reinforcing the potential for cooperation in this critical global transition. Proud to also see STX Group’s Alexandra Veroude serving on the board of the Australian Business in Europe (NL) network, helping to strengthen these vital connections!

We’re thrilled to welcome a new group of talented individuals who have joined our global team this week as part of our STX Traineeship Program! Over the next 18 months, they will begin their journey with us, working alongside our teams in Amsterdam and New York. We can’t wait to see their fresh and innovative ideas as they contribute, collaborate and grow with us. We’re excited about the energy and skills they will bring and look forward to seeing their impact while rotating through different teams and departments, helping us in our mission to drive global decarbonization. Join us in extending a warm welcome to our new colleagues as they start this new chapter with STX!

In global shipping, bio-LNG is gaining attention as LNG-capable engines regain its position as the leading alternative fuel for new vessels. With its potential to be carbon-negative, bio-LNG can help shipowners meet upcoming FuelEU Maritime standards. As Alexandra Veroude from our team highlighted, using a blend of bio-LNG allows one vessel to significantly reduce emissions across a fleet, enabling compliance for ships using traditional fuels. “Manure-based biomethane fuels such as bio-LNG achieve a negative emissions factor, and this can be an extremely competitive option, even against an RFNBO-based fuel, which receives a two times multiplier to incentivise its take-up”. This regulatory flexibility underscores the growing importance of bio-LNG in the maritime industry's decarbonization journey. Thanks TradeWinds and NorthStandard for the opportunity to sharing our expertise and views. #Sustainability #Maritime #BioLNG https://lnkd.in/eM2aD-pb

Meet Andrea Molteni, Senior Biofuels Trader in our Amsterdam office. Andrea’s previous positions in biofuels compliance and optimization along with his key role in our biofuels trading desk reflect his dedication and passion for sustainability. With a focus on the Mediterranean compliance markets, Andrea’s expertise in trading Biodiesel (FAME) and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) has also been vital to our growth in this evolving sector. Stay tuned for more stories from the STX team and read here the full interview: https://lnkd.in/dFbb-hpk   #lifeatstx

Today marks the second anniversary of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), a landmark climate legislation which has already begun reshaping the American energy landscape by providing substantial incentives for the adoption of clean energy technologies and the reduction of carbon emissions. It's inspiring to witness the transformative power of the scheme in action as it incentivizes developers to accelerate the energy transition by building more renewable energy projects. The impact is clear with The Tax Foundation estimating that over $1 trillion in tax credits will be traded in the next decade, with the Advanced Manufacturing (45X) credits potentially surpassing expectations. The renewable energy tax credit industry is also rapidly maturing. The market is evolving quickly, with several of our client demand already shifting to 2025 credits. However, while the IRA has simplified the complexity of traditional tax equity, purchasing a tax credit remains similar to an M&A transaction, requiring negotiations between buyers and sellers, with buyers often seeking proper insurance and parent guarantees. As we move forward, STX Group is uniquely positioned with over $2 billion in tax credit book for the coming years, ready to support the ongoing transition to a sustainable energy future. More info about tax credits on our STRIVE by STX site: https://lnkd.in/dnQFFnAT Read here the press release about an STX Group's tax credit project promoting solar energy in Texas: https://lnkd.in/dZC-Nmpw

Max Van Meer, our Managing Director US, was interviewed for this Financial Times article which analyzes how Big Tech companies are influencing the standards for measuring and reporting greenhouse gas emissions, raising serious concerns about the accuracy and reliability of certain practices. As a key player in the environmental commodity market, we believe this is a crucial time to advocate for further transparency and accountability in corporate climate action. Thanks to Camilla Hodgson for the opportunity to share our expert views on how IRECs markets work in her insightful article.   Read the full article here (requires subscription): https://lnkd.in/d_DPhdQW

We are pleased to see new efforts to incentivize and facilitate hydrogen production. Providing early-stage support to a capital-intensive industry and streamlining administrative processes is crucial to ensuring the viability of the first wave of projects. Both Brazil and Germany have made significant strides, enhancing their natural synergy within the synthetic fuels value chain. Brazil's impressive renewable energy share and Germany's powerful industrial base are highly complementary. However, this progress also underscores the need for global harmonization of policies. Currently, there are discrepancies between how the US, EU and UK define low-carbon hydrogen, which poses challenges for producers looking to trade across these regions. Adhering to varying regulations can lead to increased complexity and, consequently, higher costs. For example, Brazil has adopted a technology-agnostic approach with an upper carbon intensity (CI) limit of 7 kgCO2e/kgH2, while the EU only recognizes electrolytic hydrogen with a maximum CI of 3.4 kgCO2e/kgH2. All tools are essential in transitioning the global economy to low-carbon energy and policies that promote the production and uptake of these fuels should be celebrated. As the industry continues to evolve and regulatory frameworks mature, we hope to see more internationally accepted standards that facilitate free trade. This will enable STX and its peers to bring much-needed liquidity and competition to the market. You can read more about the latest Germany and Brazil policy developments on green hydrogen in this article: https://lnkd.in/dNJhkuhW

The chemical industry stands at a crossroads. While essential to our world, it's one of the most carbon-intensive sectors. How can it reconcile its vital role with sustainability goals? STX Group's Chemical Expert and Strategic Project Manager, Yash Chawla, offers a deep dive into the challenges and opportunities in a new op-ed for Chemical Industry Journal. From the impact of regulations like the EU's CSRD and CBAM to the potential of renewable feedstocks and carbon capture, discover how the industry is working to promote decarbonization. https://lnkd.in/dH9ceW5Z

Meet Diederik Françoys, Business Development Director at STX, based in our Gothenburg office. Discover his interesting journey, consulting experience, advice for entering the sector and his views on why now is a crucial time for corporate climate action. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/eX5n5GVH

Paris 2024 - Comité d'organisation des Jeux Olympiques et Paralympiques de 2024 are setting new benchmarks in sustainability and environmental responsibility for major sporting events. With ambitious goals to reduce carbon emissions by half compared to previous Games, Paris 2024 is introducing various initiatives such as medals crafted from Eiffel Tower iron, stadium seating made of recycled plastics and using low-carbon vehicles for athletes and official visitors. The organizers are also investing in carbon offset projects for emissions that are not being avoided and renewable power solutions, including solar panels and floating solar farms. While challenges remain, particularly regarding spectator travel emissions, Paris 2024 is dedicated to minimizing its environmental impact and advancing global climate efforts. Explore how Paris 2024 is redefining what it means to host a sustainable worldwide competition in this Reuters article: https://lnkd.in/dMzf6bEH