Industrial decarbonisation
Stricter EU rules and technology bans could deliver net zero in 2046, €6.1tn GDP boost
Est. 3minEconomic and financial consultancy Oxera has published a report explaining that more investment and policy on decarbonisation would boost economic growth across the European Union.
EU energy ministers talk geothermal in Budapest
Est. 5minGeothermal energy is the first item on the agenda of an informal meeting of EU energy ministers on Friday and Saturday (16-17 July) in Budapest, where they will discuss how to overcome barriers to the deployment of this under-exploited energy source.
China accelerates green steel shift as EU levies loom, researchers say
Est. 2minSINGAPORE, July 11 (Reuters) - China approved no new coal-based steel projects in the first half of 2024, researchers said on Thursday, accelerating its shift towards green production as it prepares for the impact of a new carbon levy on exports to Europe.
Local governments approved 7.1 million metric tons of new steelmaking capacity from January to June, but all of it was for cleaner scrap-based electric arc furnace (EAF) projects, rather than coal-intensive blast furnaces, said the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA).
China's efforts to cut production and recycle more scrap via EAF could reduce CO2 emissions from the steel industry by 200 million tonnes by 2026, equal to the entire emissions of the EU steel sector, CREA said.
China's steel industry, by far the world's biggest, is under growing pressure to decarbonise. It is expected to join China's own emissions trading scheme this year, and exports to Europe will be subject to the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) starting from next year, which could make them 11% more expensive by 2030.
"Chinese steelmakers targeting the EU market will need to take action to reduce the carbon intensity of their products in order to maintain competitiveness," said Xinyi Shen, the report's co-author.
Europe introduced CBAM in order to tackle the problem of "carbon leakage", which allows businesses to avoid carbon costs by sourcing products from countries with weaker climate compliance. Starting from 2026, importers of steel, fertiliser, cement and chemicals will pay levies based on the carbon footprint of the products they buy.
Researchers at China's Institute for Global Decarbonization Progress (iGDP) said last week that China's steel industry could face up to 5.9 billion yuan ($811.09 million) in total CBAM levies by 2030, depending on how much it cuts emissions.
Traditional blast furnace steel could face levies of around 250 yuan per ton by 2030, but scrap-based EAF would not yet face any additional charge, it said. ($1 = 7.2742 yuan) (Reporting by David Stanway; Editing by Christopher Cushing)
ESG requirements are making metals more sustainable, industry says
Est. 8minNew metal production practices prompted by revised expectations from governments and investors are already affecting countries like Indonesia. However, there are concerns about rising costs and a lack of regulatory coordination.
French green industry secures multi-billion euro support in one week
Est. 3minBetween Thursday 23 May and Tuesday 28 May more than €5.3 billion of funding for French industry was announced by government and commercial investors, boosting the country's drive to revitalise and decarbonise its industrial base.
German cabinet approves carbon capture and hydrogen plans
Est. 3minGermany's cabinet approved on Wednesday (29 May) two draft bills to accelerate the integration of hydrogen and carbon capture respectively, into the country's energy and industrial systems.
German steel plants needed for democracy, economy minister says
Est. 3minGerman Economy Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) has defended the country’s billion-euro investments into green steel plants, saying it was needed to avoid a breakdown of whole regions’ industries and secure supply of steel at times of geopolitical uncertainty.
Member states push for faster decarbonisation of heating and cooling
Est. 3minOn Wednesday (15 May), 15 EU countries published a joint working document calling on the European Commission to prioritise the decarbonisation of heating and cooling, to increase the EU's energy independence and meet its climate targets.
EU elections: Alignment on climate shows that door remains open for EPP-ECR coalition
Est. 4minWhile van der Leyen has not closed the door on a future coalition with the radical right, the political programmes of the right-wing groups are unanimous in criticising the Green Deal and how to decarbonise Europe.
How regulatory stability, enhanced coordination and joint funding are crucial to transform European Industry
Est. 6minThe transition towards a thriving green industry in Europe is a top priority of the S&D group. We believe that this transition will have to be based on a true European vision, founded upon regulatory stability and joint financing.
France unveils 55 ‘turnkey’ sites for clean industry
Est. 4minOn Tuesday, the French government unveiled the list of the first 55 sites available in France to host decarbonization industries.
Europe’s industry and power sector emissions plunge 15% in 2023
Est. 3minThe EU’s emissions trading scheme sectors, industry and power, saw emissions drop by 15% in 2023, putting them on track for their 2030 targets, but experts question whether this was because of - or despite - Europe's carbon trading framework.
France strikes CO2 storage deal with Denmark
Est. 4minFrance signed a bilateral agreement with Denmark on Monday (4 March) for carbon transport and storage, with more deals potentially yet to come, as part of efforts to meet its domestic carbon targets.
Carbon capture: Can a new Commission strategy revive CCUS?
Est. 7minAn EU Industrial Carbon Management Strategy published alongside the 2040 EU emissions target recommendation holds great promise for CCUS. Not everyone is happy about that.
Von der Leyen heads to Antwerp for closed-door meeting with chemicals industry
Est. 4minWith an EU Industrial Competitiveness Deal in the pipeline for the next mandate, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo invited European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Antwerp on Tuesday (19 February) to consider the future of the EU's chemical industry.
Czech steel industry unprepared for EU decarbonisation
Est. 3minThe Czech steel industry is unprepared for decarbonisation, not only technologically but also financially, making it difficult to implement the EU’s decarbonisation plans, experts say.
EU agrees law to boost green industry at home
Est. 5minThe European Parliament and national governments have agreed to boost domestic production of green technologies, such as solar modules and wind turbines, expanding the list to include nuclear power but shying away from excluding Chinese manufacturers for most public subsidies.
German carbon capture row heightened by EU’s draft 2040 climate plan
Est. 4minGermany’s upcoming carbon management strategy is being delayed by government divisions on carbon capture and storage (CCS), further exacerbated by a leaked EU climate policy draft for 2040 promoting the controversial technology.
EU Parliament calls for European strategy on geothermal energy
Est. 4minA resolution adopted by EU lawmakers calls for a European strategy to accelerate the deployment and investment in geothermal energy.
Estonia plans small nuclear reactor to quit oil shale by 2030
Est. 7minEstonia plans to build a small modular reactor (SMR) to wean itself off the addiction to polluting oil shale and meet its target of producing 100% decarbonised electricity by 2030. A vote in Parliament is expected "in the first half of 2024," officials say.
What to make of Europe’s upcoming carbon management strategy
Est. 6minThe EU’s upcoming CO2 management strategy will propose sequestration of up to 650 million tonnes per annum by 2050 and kick off a controversial debate about the future of the bloc’s emissions trading scheme.
Plan needed for multimodal CO2 transport
Est. 6minThe capture, storage and utilisation of CO2 requires the construction of pipelines and network planning to enable industry to access geological storage areas and synthetic fuel producers to access (renewable) CO2 sources, write Daan Peters and Kees van der Leun.
German industry joins forces with green groups on CO2 capture
Est. 4minSome of Germany’s most influential business and green lobbying groups have joined forces to urge Berlin to quickly adopt a carbon management strategy in order to kickstart the country’s industrial transformation.
Germany’s ailing steel industry gets €2.6 billion to decarbonise
Est. 3minGermany’s steel production industry is struggling with high electricity prices, the sector confirmed as the European Commission approved a state aid package to further electrify the entire sector.