Geoffrey Schouten’s Post

Energy transition is tough. A Dutch government research institute reports that it is almost impossible for the Netherlands to meet it's (and EU committed) 2030 CO2 reduction goals. A lot of discussion about what to do, not enough actions changing the regulatory framework of the energy system. Spoiler: The problem isn't limited to the Netherlands. #energytransition #hydrogen

The energy transition is here and it is accelerating, which is necessary for us to be able to meet the necessary climate targets. Much is happening and much is planned and the coming years are crucial so we ensure the right conditions, that we are making the large investment decisions and that we fully embrace on the journey to Net Zero.

The 6th meeting of the RHA’s Net Zero Forum takes place on the 22 October, where we are pleased to welcome the British Standards Institute (BSI) to give an overview of their work to develop standards that underpin the safe operation and maintenance of zero emission commercial vehicles. This welcome work is another essential piece of the overall jigsaw puzzle to give operators the confidence-to-invest in a future world without diesel vehicles. The RHA is actively involved in shaping other critical pieces – for example, the development of practical “how to” guides from the electricity sector to help operators understand what they need to do to get additional electricity capability to their depots to power zero emission vehicles. Watch this space for more in due course! Following the steers given by our Forum, we also seek to unblock blockages that prevent the rapid introduction of electric or hydrogen-powered lorries and coaches on to our roads – for example, how can the cost of manufacturing and supplying hydrogen be brought down. As more and more operators bring zero emission vehicles into their fleets to add to the 300 that are currently registered on UK roads, a common ask is emerging – the need to lower costs and ensure stable energy prices. As the new Government settles in following the General Election, this is where we will prioritise our efforts with Ministers. We welcome the on-going work by the Green Finance Institute to break down barriers that prevent financiers from providing finance on favourable terms to fund the transition to Net Zero. We also look to understand how the Government’s Great British Energy plans will provide stable energy prices. Avoiding the energy price spikes we have seen in recent years is essential if the transition to Net Zero is to succeed. Meanwhile, there are immediate measures the Government can take to ensure our sector has the stability it needs to invest. With speculation rife over the future of fuel duty, keeping the price of diesel low so that industry has the funds to invest Net Zero is essential. Incentivising the up-take of low carbon fuels through a fuel rebate linked to emissions reduction will also help the industry to decarbonise. As Parliament resumes following its summer recess, the “to do” list to decarbonise is long and urgent. We look forward to playing our full part to make this happen. #NetZeroForum  

March 12, 2024 - By Geir Moulson - BERLIN (AP), "Germany's vice chancellor on Tuesday launched a program initially worth up to €4 billion ($4.4 billion) to help #heavyindustry shift to more #climatefriendly production over a 15-year period. Germany, which is home to many #energyintensiveindustries as Europe's biggest economy, aims to cut its #greenhousegasemissions to net zero by 2045. The government, which says industry accounts for about one-fifth of the country's emissions, says #Germany is the first in the European Union to launch the "#carboncontracts for difference." Companies in areas such as paper, glass, steel and chemical production have four months to bid for support under the contracts, which are supposed to compensate for the extra costs of climate-friendly production processes where they otherwise would not be competitive. Support will be capped at €1 billion per bidder in an effort to accommodate medium-sized companies. The government says that switching to new production methods is essential but currently comes with high costs and risks that put companies off investing in them — for example, uncertainty over future hydrogen prices. Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck, who is also Germany's economy and climate minister, said the contract system compares with a cumbersome existing application process for support that can take three years to complete. He said it is "super cost-efficient" because companies will be bidding to make #carbonneutral production as economically as possible. "For the companies, there is the advantage of being able to plan and calculate with a fixed, #greenenergy price over 15 years," he added. Bidding for the first round of support is limited to firms that went through a preparatory procedure last summer. Companies must state how many euros it will take them to avoid a ton of #CO2emissions with new technology. Habeck's Economy Ministry hopes that a second round of bidding for support totaling up to €19 billion will take place at the end of the year. The Federation of German Industries welcomed the launch. It said that "extensive state support is necessary if the politically desired transformation to climate neutrality is to succeed in a short time." The head of Greenpeace Germany, Martin Kaiser, said that the new contracts could only help #modernize industry if they support companies that emit no CO2 by using modern technology and #cleanenergy. But if "designed wrong, carbon contracts for difference stand completely in the way of this transition" by chaining the country to old, climate-damaging technology, he argued in a statement. The group has criticized plans Habeck, a member of the environmentalist Green party, announced last month to enable underground carbon storage at offshore sites." #climateactionnow #climateaction #steelindustry #glassindustry #chemicalmanufacturing #climatechange #energytransition #climatepolicy #climatestrategy

⚡ Is your organization facing hurdles in transitioning away from #fossilfuels? Many companies are embracing the challenge of realizing their climate goals by integrating electrical alternatives like green heat pumps. However, policy constraints are still impeding progress. 💡 How can we make sure that companies can quickly shift to #greenheat? Come find out during the seminar 'How can companies make the transition to green heat?'! 👉 Network with policy makers and industry leaders driving sustainable change 👉 Discover concrete projects and solutions presented by experts in Flemish industry 👉 Explore opportunities to overcome current bottlenecks in adopting green energy technologies 📅 May 7th, 13:00 - 17:00 📍 Les Ateliers des Tanneurs, Brussels 🔗 have a look at the program and secure your spot here: https://lnkd.in/dQBByX98 Hosted by Bond Beter Leefmilieu, in collaboration with Energy Saving Pioneers and The Shift vzw/asbl. #committedtoact #climatechange #greenheat

A successful energy transition starts with "less is more"...

New Sweco report: Europe’s green transition towards a resilient industry sector Sweco’s latest expert report outlines the progress of European industries in their efforts to become more resilient and move toward net zero. The steel industry is at the forefront, followed by the cement industry. The chemical and transport industries are also in the process of transforming toward net zero. As significant investments are made and new technologies such as hydrogen, CCS, and electrofuels are tested on an industrial scale, the report presents opportunities and risks for companies and decision makers to consider. The industry sector is responsible for 25–30 per cent of total global CO2 emissions and companies and countries are now investing heavily to transform their operations. Demand for industrial products is expected to increase significantly over the next three decades — steel by 30%, cement and ammonia by 40%, and aluminium by 80%. Companies in those hard-to-abate-industries are now required to deliver on that demand in a sustainable manner. “Sweco’s analysis is based on the Leadership Group for Industry Transition (LeadIT) database and shows that Europe is taking the global lead in the green transition of the industry sector, as 95% of the full-scale projects in cement worldwide are conducted in Europe, as well as 61% of all fossil-free steel projects. There are a number of reasons why this is happening right now: Higher prices for CO2 emissions, new investments, regulations, the EU Net-Zero Industry Act and stronger demand for sustainable products from end customers,” says Erik Skogström, Division Director Industry and Energy at Sweco in Finland. Sweco is the trusted advisor to some of Europe’s most ambitious large-scale industrial projects within decarbonisation including energy supply and efficiency, hydrogen and hydropower energy storage such as battery technology, CCS and industrial circularity. Sweco’s new report covers the following key insights: • Regulations and capital are falling into place — but is it enough? • The steel industry at the forefront, followed by the cement industry • CCS/ CCU — a necessary complementary solution • The electrification revolution, spurred by renewables, hydrogen and batteries • Resource efficiency and circular industrial processes • Industrial symbiosis and new business models https://lnkd.in/d6Sh8c5g

Delighted to feature in the Path to Net Zero edition of The House Magazine - the first issue of this Parliament. In the article I have written about our Pathways to Net Zero #P2NZ initiative which we are launching at the end of the month. Net zero should be the defining policy of our generation and this new Labour Government's core driver of economic growth. The fact is that net zero will need industry to deliver investment and infrastructure as well as producing the low- and zero-carbon energy to fuel the transition. To do that, we need policymakers to understand how energy works, what the opportunities are, and what some of the policy options are to get us to #netzero by 2050 - and that means helping new MPs learn from the experts. If you would like to hear more about #P2NZ, DM me! https://lnkd.in/gc_7KtMk

As #COP29 enters its second week, Paola Yanguas of ZHAW Institut für Nachhaltige Entwicklung (INE) and Greg Muttitt of UCL Energy Institute have penned a great piece for SUS-POL Research Programme that seeks to answer an urgent question: how much will a fossil fuel phase-out cost? https://lnkd.in/em6Rs4rC

Europe’s Net Zero Industry Act (NZIA), set to take effect by June's end, aims for 50 million tonnes of annual CO2 storage capacity in EU geological sites by 2030. It also targets strategic Net Zero technologies to meet 40% of the EU's annual deployment needs by the same year. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that NZIA offers a regulatory framework for rapidly scaling up clean technology manufacturing, meeting rising demand in Europe and globally. Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager noted that NZIA will simplify and expedite permitting procedures, enhancing competitiveness. Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič emphasized NZIA's support for strategic sectors. Commissioner Thierry Breton highlighted the EU’s goal to lead the clean tech market, fostering climate neutrality, competitiveness, jobs, energy security, and resilience. He warned that without local production, the EU risks becoming net importers and recreating dependencies. Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson said the energy crisis showed the need to avoid dependency on a single supplier. NZIA, with streamlined permitting and support for innovation, will fortify Europe’s industrial base for the clean energy transition. This will help achieve 2030 renewables and energy efficiency targets while maintaining competitiveness. Separately, the EU and Australia signed an MOU to cooperate on sustainable critical and strategic minerals, enabling the EU to diversify supplies and aiding Australia’s critical minerals sector development. . . Join us in accelerating change! Visit net-zeroclub.co.uk to explore sustainable solutions. . . #netzero #cleanenergy #co2storage