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GCMD is encouraged by IMO’s agreement of a possible outline for the “IMO net-zero framework” by the member states at the recently concluded MEPC81 meetings. This framework will be instrumental in achieving the 2023 IMO Strategy targets.   Several themes have emerged, and some are particularly significant for us.   They reaffirm GCMD’s forward-thinking approach in how we run pilots. Our pilots aim to lower barriers for broad market adoption of low-/zero-carbon solutions, and their findings offer crucial operational insights that can inform these ongoing discussions.   Key takeaways:   1️⃣ Levelling the playing field for alternative fuels with fossil fuels through economic measures Economic measures, whether a GHG levy, feebate, or other incentives, will be crucial to stimulate the uptake of alternative fuels by driving investment in fuel adoption and associated infrastructure.   GCMD is taking a proactive approach to prepare the bunkering ecosystem for ammonia use and looking to demonstrate a ship-to-ship transfer of an ammonia cargo. This demonstration, while not fully representative of bunkering, will build confidence within the port ecosystem regarding ammonia transfers between vessels within port waters, especially amid safety concerns.   2️⃣  LCA for Onboard Carbon Capture and Storage (OCCS) Establishing a scientific working group for further LCA development and a correspondence group to develop the regulatory framework for OCCS use positively recognises OCCS as a potential solution to decarbonise shipping. This development emphasises the importance of emissions accounting across the entire carbon value chain.   GCMD has recently initiated a project to evaluate the lifecycle of OCCS, from onboard capture to its offloading, utilisation, and/ or sequestration pathways.   3️⃣  Transport of biofuels The possibility of transporting biofuels blends up to B30 in Annex I bunker barges has gained traction.   Prompted by cases, such as GCMD’s findings from our biofuel supply chain trials referenced in IBIA's paper and others, MEPC has referred this matter for further consideration to the working group on Evaluation of Safety and Pollution Hazards of Chemicals.   Updating regulations to address these results paves the way for wider use of higher-blend biofuels.   4️⃣ Improving energy efficiency of ships The timeline around the revision of CII has been clarified, and various proposals to realign regulations with the 2023 strategy will continue to be deliberated.   These strengthened regulations, when adopted, will stimulate the uptake of advanced energy efficiency technologies in order to close the gap towards 2030 GHG reduction targets.   GCMD is progressing on Pay-As-You-Save (PAYS) pilots that aim to overcome commercial barriers so ships can be retrofitted in time to meet the highest possible efficiency standards. https://lnkd.in/g3AeY_z8

The recent publication of the General Scheme of the Environmental Protection (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2024 will aim to alleviate issues in the EPA’s current licencing system. We discuss below in more detail how this bill has the potential to improve the deployment of renewable energy facilities, such as anaerobic digestion plants. Biomethane produced from these types of plants will form a key part of the plan to decarbonise Ireland’s economy. #EPA #biomethane #AD

The Environment Agency, on behalf of all the UK environmental regulators, recently published new guidance and a supporting evidence review on ‘Hydrogen production by electrolysis of water: emerging techniques’. All applications for an environmental permit for electrolytic hydrogen production must tell the relevant regulator in Scotland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland whether they will follow this guidance or propose an alternative approach that will provide the same or a greater level of environmental protection. The guidance covers all sizes of industrial plants (installations) producing hydrogen by electrolysis of water and includes both new plants and variations (changes) to existing plants and is intended for: -Operators, when designing their plants and preparing their application for an environmental permit -Environmental regulators, when determining environmental permit applications -Any other organisation or members of the public who want to understand how the environmental regulations and standards are being applied Some electrolytic hydrogen production plants may be eligible for a simplified permitting process, a low-impact installation, or a standard rules permit, where available. You can check with the environmental regulator for your plant location. For relevant guidance: -In Scotland, use the Scottish Environment Protection Agency’s guidance for part A installations. SEPA is developing a bespoke PPC permit application form for “low-risk” electrolysis processes. Please contact ppcpermitting@sepa.org.uk to request a copy of the draft form -In England, use the DEFRA guidance on A1 installations: environmental permits -In Northern Ireland, use the DEFRA guidance on Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control (IPPC) -In Wales, use Natural Resources Wales guidance on installations Production of hydrogen by electrolysis is a rapidly developing area and this guidance may be revised as more evidence becomes available. Further work in consultation with stakeholders will be needed to develop any future specific UK Best Available Technology (BAT) standards and regulatory requirements. 👉 Please refer to Nigel Holmes' newsletter for additional information

Environmental Regulations and the Oil Industry: Striking a Balance. . . . . . #Energy #oilAndGas #petroleumProducts #crudeOil #naturalGas #aviationFuel #petroleumTrading #sparkviewEnergy #sustainability #petrolTrading #oilAndGasEquipments #renewableEnergy #greenEnergy #Regulations

The Biden administration said its new climate modeling for #sustainableaviationfuel feedstocks will be released in a matter of weeks, marking a delay source said was due to disagreements over details of the revisions. The slow progress on the revised modeling has frustrated the #biofuels industry by extending uncertainty over whether corn-based #ethanol will be able to qualify for lucrative new subsidies for SAF production included in the Inflation Reduction Act. Read more - https://lnkd.in/gU5_SwFU US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | #climatesmart #feedstock #greenhousegasemissions #futurefuels #sustainability #whitehouse

Short time to get ready for the EU ETS The EU ETS will apply to shipping companies from 1st January 2024 The revised ETS Directive (Dir. (EU) 2023/959) and consequent amendments to the MRV Regulation (Reg. (EU) 2023/957) will have significant administrative and economic impacts on shipping companies from 1st January 2024. In accordance with the ETS Directive, each shipping company is responsible for surrendering the allowances resulting from its verified aggregated emissions as well as for applying all necessary implementation instruments. In this regard, timing is critical both for shipping companies and for verifiers, taking also into account that the implementing legislation is still to be finalised. The next year will be the first reporting period to surrender 40% of the verified CO2 emissions, aggregated at company level, by 30 September 2025. The amount of allowances to be surrendered will increase up to 70% at the second reporting period (2025) and it will be equal to the total amount of GHG verified aggregated emissions (CO2, CH4 and N2O) from 2026 and afterwards. The updated MRV monitoring plan should be prepared by 1st January 2024 and electronically submitted to Thetis MRV, the automated information system operated by the European Maritime Safety Agency which is currently not yet available. The templates on the EU Official Journal of 6th November 2023 can however be used to begin preparing the updated MRV monitoring plan, including information such as the emission factors and the procedure to determine the emission factors for biofuels; the procedure for data flow and risk assessment; and any carbon capture and storage technologies. Together with the monitoring plan, in the above-mentioned EU Official Journal one can find the templates for the emission reports relating to each ship and at company level. From 2025, the electronic version of such templates will be available in the Thetis MRV. The updated plan, once submitted, should be assessed by the verifier and sent to the administering Authority by 1st April 2024 for approval. The administering Authority will be assigned by the European Commission The list of the administering Authorities will be published in February 2024 and then updated every other year, meaning that companies which are not registered in EU/EEA may change their administering Authority in the updated list. Recognizing the challenges ahead of all parties involved, shipping companies and verifiers included, RINA is closely following these rule developments and seizes every opportunity to participate at webinars organized by the European Commission and EMSA to be ready to assist its clients to implement the revised ETS Directive and relevant MRV Regulation amendments.

🚛🌍 The Transportation Project Challenges EPA GHG Emissions Rule 🌍🚛 #TheTransportationProject (TTP), a coalition of around 200 truck and fleet-related companies and organizations, has filed a lawsuit against the #EPA. The lawsuit seeks changes to the EPA's Phase 3 final rule on #greenhousegas (#GHG) emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles. TTP, based in Washington, represents vehicle and engine manufacturers, dealers, fleet operators, servicers, suppliers, and fuel producers. TTP's legal action, filed with the District of Columbia Circuit Court of Appeals, is supported by a petition for reconsideration submitted to the EPA in late June. The organization objects to the final rule, citing three main issues for RNG fleets: 1. Incomplete Data: The rule relies on incomplete data regarding the development pace of compliant technology and the related costs to fleets. 2. Overlooked Benefits of RNG: It fails to acknowledge the significant emission reduction benefits of #renewablenaturalgas (#RNG) in achieving #emissionsreduction targets. 3. Ignored Stakeholder Requests: The EPA ignored stakeholder requests and previous commitments to include total life cycle assessment considerations. Jeffrey Clarke, TTP's VP of Government and Regulatory Affairs, stated, "This final rule unfairly manipulates outcomes to advance favored technologies, slowing progress by discouraging the use of natural gas-fueled trucks and accelerating RNG use." The waste and recyclables hauling industry, which includes over 17,000 #naturalgas refuse and recycling trucks, is heavily impacted by this rule. TTP emphasizes that bio-CNG has the lowest average #carbonintensity of any #cleanfuel in #California and is the only fuel with a negative carbon intensity fleet outcome in the California Low Carbon Fuel Standard (#LCFS) Program. TTP supports federal action to decarbonize heavy-duty transportation and urges the EPA to correct its rule or for the courts to ensure the EPA evaluates all facts and submissions comprehensively. #biogas #wastetoenergy #renewableenergy 

“Sasol’s application for Secunda emission limit for sulphur dioxide falls outside legal framework, say Just Share” ““The means of REDUCING SO2 emissions are WELL-KNOWN and NOT CONTROVERSIAL. The COST and BENEFITS of compliance are also WELL-KNOWN. Sasol has had an inordinately long time to prepare for compliance.”” “#Sasol has had an INORDINATELY LONG TIME to PREPARE for COMPLIANCE.” “#Sulphurdioxide is a notorious POLLUTANT that causes significant harm to HUMAN HEALTH and the ENVIRONMENT.” Sheree Bega - 27 JULY 2023 “Gwaze’s decision details how, on 23 February 2015, #Sasol Secunda was granted a 10-year postponement from meeting new plant standards for #SO2, in respect of #boilers in the #steamplants until 31 March 2025.” “It lodged a second application for postponement of new plant standards compliance timeframes in March 2019 for the steam plants, among others, for two pollutants — #particulatematter and #oxidesofnitrogen.” “In June last year, Sasol applied to Gwaze and the Nkangala district authority for an alternative emission for SO2, for the #boilers in its #steamplants at #Sasol Secunda, which are operating in terms of a postponement.” “Not compliant” “Gwaze said that for an application to be considered, the plant must be in compliance with other #emissionstandards.” “”Sasol Secunda steam plants are not compliant as they are currently operating in terms of a postponement for #particulatematter and #oxidesofnitrogen. Accordingly, the application falls to be refused on this basis alone.”” “Sasol was required to DEMONSTRATE previous REDUCTION, MEASURES and DIRECT INVESTMENTS implemented towards compliance, but had FAILED TO DO SO and the “application falls to be set aside for this reason alone”. “ “”Accordingly, there is no material compliance with the national ambient air quality standards in Secunda and for this reason alone, Sasol Secunda’s application is refused.”” “Gwaze is “not empowered” to grant an application for an alternative limit where a once-off postponement has already been granted.” ““Indeed, to permit such indulgence into PERPETUITY would defeat the objective of the National Environmental Management: Air Quality Act,” she said.” ““The reality, however, is that Sasol’s application fell outside the legal framework, including because it would have resulted in non-compliance with the #minimumemissionstandards beyond 31 March 2025. The #nationalairqualityofficer recognised this in her decision, which refused the application.”” “#Sasol is a major contributor to the high levels of #airpollution in the Highveld Priority Area where its Secunda operations are situated, she said.” “The HIGH COURT, in its 2022 DEADLY AIR decision, found that this pollution violates residents’ #constitutionalright to an environment that is not harmful to their health and well-being.” https://lnkd.in/eS-PcsQu Source- original post Read all my posts #MariusPreston

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Carbon capture is a necessary piece of the net-zero future. We need to build facilities, enabling infrastructure (including storage) as fast as possible. But we need to do it following existing regulatory structures. This story highlights the good work done by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in finding discrepancies in a storage application. Yes, we need permits to be issued faster but there is no room for application mistakes. There are numerous tools on the EPAs website for the application process to ensure as smooth a process as possible. https://lnkd.in/eNrRij22