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Denmark pledges DKr150mn to Brazil's Amazon fund

  • Market: Emissions
  • 29/11/24

Denmark will donate 150mn Danish kroner ($21.3mn) to Brazil's Amazon fund, adding the Nordic country to a growing list of nations supporting the South American country's efforts to preserve the Amazon forest.

The Amazon fund issues grants to projects that prevent, monitor and combat deforestation while promoting conservation and sustainable development in the Amazon. The fund was created in 2008 and is managed by Brazil's Bndes development bank. It has R4.5bn ($750mn) under management and has supported 114 projects to date.

Norway is the fund's largest donor, having pledged R3.5bn, followed by German development bank KfW with R388mn and the US with R291mn. Other donors include the UK, Switzerland and Japan.


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10/12/24

Norway to end new international fossil fuel financing

Norway to end new international fossil fuel financing

London, 10 December (Argus) — Norway will from January no longer provide public finance for new unabated international fossil fuel projects, in line with a commitment it made in December last year. Norway's export credit agency, Eksfin, provides most of the country's financing for overseas fossil fuel projects. Eksfin provided between 8.78bn Norwegian kroner and 10.98bn NKr ($786mn- 983mn) over July 2021-June 2023 for fossil fuel projects, civil society organisation Oil Change International found. Norway signed the Clean Energy Transition Partnership (CETP) at the UN Cop 28 climate summit in 2023. The CETP aims to shift international public finance "from the unabated fossil fuel energy sector to the clean energy transition". The CETP, which now has 41 signatories, was launched at Cop 26 in 2021, with an initial 39 signatories including most G7 nations and several development banks. Signatories commit to ending new direct public support for overseas unabated fossil fuel projects within a year of joining. Abatement, under the CETP, refers to "a high level of emissions reductions" through operational carbon capture technology or "other effective technologies". It does not count offsets or credits. Australia, which also signed the CETP at Cop 28, said last week that it would no longer finance overseas fossil fuel projects. "Norway is also working to introduce common regulations for financing fossil energy within the international main agreement for state export financing in the OECD", the Norwegian government said today. Norway's policy "helps increase momentum" for an OECD deal that could end $41bn/yr in oil and gas export financing, Oil Change said. Countries are involved in "final negotiations" on the deal today, Oil Change added. By Georgia Gratton Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Braya may idle Canada RD plant by year-end


09/12/24
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09/12/24

Braya may idle Canada RD plant by year-end

New York, 9 December (Argus) — The largest renewable diesel (RD) producer in Canada is weighing whether to idle its 18,000 b/d biorefinery before the end of the year, citing poor margins and uncertainty about US biofuels policy. Braya Renewable Fuels — which began commercial operations in February at a former petroleum refinery in Come-by-Chance, Newfoundland and Labrador — said any potential shutdown would be temporary to see if market conditions improve. The company had previously planned to increase capacity to 35,000 b/d and to also produce sustainable aviation fuel. "Braya plans to retain its permanent workforce if a temporary economic shutdown is required" and "all equipment would be maintained in good condition and in a ready to start mode", refinery manager Paul Burton said. Other Canadian biorefineries have criticized what they see as an unlevel playing field between US and Canadian producers, since ample supply of US-produced renewable diesel has arrived in Canada this year and helped crash prices of federal and British Columbia clean fuel credits. Economics for Canadian biofuel producers could worsen in January when a US tax credit for blenders of biomass-based diesel expires and is replaced by an incentive that can exclusively be claimed by US producers, likely deterring foreign fuel imports. Braya has seen "lower-than-normal margins" recently and "short-term market disruptions" from the looming expiration of that blenders credit, Burton said. A proposal to extend the blenders credit for another year faces long odds in Congress' lame duck session, energy lobbyists have said . Braya has exported more than 2.1mn bl of renewable diesel into the US this year, largely into California, bills of lading indicate. An additional vessel with an estimated 345,000 bl of renewable diesel was scheduled to reach Long Beach, California, last weekend according to data from trade and analytics platforms Kpler, reflecting foreign producers' incentive to rush biofuel into the US before the end of the year. Braya has also criticized policy shifts in California, where regulators recently updated the state low-carbon fuel standard to eventually limit credit generating opportunities for fuels made from soybean and canola oil. In August comments to California regulators, Braya said that it had "entered into tens of millions of dollars of soybean oil feedstock contracts for 2025" and that soybean oil at the time represented "well in excess" of 20pc of its feedstock mix. By Cole Martin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Republicans weigh two-step plan on energy, taxes


06/12/24
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06/12/24

Republicans weigh two-step plan on energy, taxes

Washington, 6 December (Argus) — Republicans in the US Congress are considering trying to pass president-elect Donald Trump's legislative agenda by voting first on a filibuster-proof budget package that revises energy policy, then taking up a separate tax cut bill later in 2025. The two-part strategy, floated by incoming US Senate majority leader John Thune (R-South Dakota), could deliver Trump an early win by putting immigration, border security and energy policy changes into a single budget bill that could pass early next year without Democratic support. Republicans would then have more time to debate a separate — and likely more complex — budget package that would focus on extending a tax package expected to cost more than $4 trillion over 10 years. The legislative strategy is a "possibility" floated among Senate Republicans for achieving Trump's legislative goals on "energy dominance," the border, national security and extending tax cuts, Thune said in an interview with Fox News this week. Thune said he was still having conversations with House Republicans and Trump's team on what strategy to pursue. Republicans plan to use a process called budget reconciliation to advance most of Trump's legislative goals, which would avoid a Democratic filibuster but restrict the scope of policy changes to those that directly affect the budget. But some Republicans worry the potential two-part strategy could fracture the caucus and cause some key policies getting dropped, spurring a debate among Republicans over how to move forward. "We have a menu of options in front of us," US House speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) said this week in an interview with Fox News. "Leader Thune and I were talking as recently as within the last hour about the priority of how we do it and in what sequence." Republicans have yet to decide what changes they will make to the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes hundreds of billions of dollars of tax credits for wind, solar, electric vehicles, battery manufacturing, carbon capture and clean hydrogen. A group of 18 House Republicans in August said they opposed a "full repeal" of the 2022 law. Republicans next year will start with only a 220-215 majority in the House, which will then drop to 217-215 once two Republicans join the Trump administration and representative Matt Gaetz (R-Florida) resigns. By Chris Knight Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Asean carbon markets could be worth $3 trillion: Report


06/12/24
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06/12/24

Asean carbon markets could be worth $3 trillion: Report

Singapore, 6 December (Argus) — Carbon markets could unlock a total revenue of $3 trillion for southeast Asian countries by 2050, according to a joint report by carbon market platform Abatable, the Asean Alliance for Carbon Markets and advisory firm Equatorise. The cumulative revenue of $3 trillion could be generated through the reduction or removal of emissions equivalent to 1.1 gigatonnes/yr of CO2 over 2025-50, states the report, which was released on 4 December. The amount is made up of estimated potential total values of reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+) markets at $27bn/yr, blue carbon markets at $96bn/yr and biochar carbon markets at $144bn/yr by 2050. The projected amount is significant when considering the wider Asia-Pacific region needs at least $1.1 trillion/yr in climate financing, but is facing a shortfall of at least 815bn/yr . Asean members such as Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand have already turned to carbon pricing as a means to generate funds for their transition. Singapore and Indonesia have introduced carbon taxes, while Thailand has developed and is operating a voluntary carbon credit scheme. Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore have all launched exchanges or platforms for carbon trading. Asean member states emitted around 3.5bn t of CO2 equivalent (CO2e) in 2023, making up about 4pc of global emissions, according to the report. Out of this, nearly 50pc or over 1.7bn t/yr of CO2e comes from the energy sector. At the same time, the region has generated over 233mn t of CO2e in carbon credits over 2009-24, or about 7pc of global issuances. Recommendations Southeast Asia has significant potential to supply carbon credits through nature-based solutions, states the report. A novel type of project that the region can look into is biochar, which is created from agricultural or forestry residues, of which Asean has in abundance from forests, rice husks and palm. Carbon credits generated from the early retirement of coal-fired power plants could also be a solution. Asean should develop carbon market regulations to establish clarity in policy and foster a more attractive investment landscape, according to the report. The group should also ensure the necessary institutional and technical capacity is developed to create a robust carbon market. On a regional level, Asean could support governments by creating a regional carbon market network that allows members to collaborate and leverage expertise from some of the countries, to benefit the wider region. This regional network could materialise soon. Representatives from Asian carbon market associations at the UN Cop 29 climate summit last month signed an agreement to collaborate on a Common Carbon Framework that is aimed at unlocking the potential carbon project opportunities in the region, and fostering interoperability among Asean carbon markets to increase market liquidity. Members should also develop robust compliance schemes to create demand for carbon projects, states the report. Implementing an emissions trading scheme or carbon tax would incentivise decarbonisation, and in the longer term, countries can link their markets to collaborate on achieving their targets. Singapore has already signed multiple Article 6 agreements with other nations, although none with a fellow Asean member yet. Asean could look to facilitate a region-wide agreement that would enable trading under Article 6.2, which would be attractive to buyer countries looking to maximise supply access in the region while only having to deal with the framework of one agreement, states the report. By Prethika Nair Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Treasury eyes 45Z guidance before Biden exit


03/12/24
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03/12/24

Treasury eyes 45Z guidance before Biden exit

New York, 3 December (Argus) — The US Department of Treasury said it still plans to issue guidance before president Joe Biden leaves office next year clarifying how refiners can qualify for a new tax credit for clean fuels. The agency "anticipates issuing guidance" around the Inflation Reduction Act's 45Z credit before 20 January to "enable producers to claim the 45Z credit for 2025", disputing a report today that the Biden administration planned on punting implementation to president-elect Donald Trump. The credit, set to kick off regardless on 1 January, will differ from some prior federal incentives by offering greater subsidies to fuels that produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Treasury did not commit to any definitive timeline for releasing guidance, and it did not immediately clarify how thorough any eventual rule would be. Companies in the biofuel supply chain say the current lack of clarity from Treasury — particularly on how it will calculate carbon intensities for various fuels and feedstocks — has slowed first quarter dealmaking. Government guidance could make or break the economics of certain plants, particularly for relatively higher-carbon fuels like soy biodiesel or jet fuel derived from corn ethanol. The US Department of Agriculture's timing for releasing a complementary rule to quantify the climate benefits of certain agricultural practices, envisioned as a way to reward refineries sourcing feedstocks from farms taking steps to reduce their emissions, is unclear. The agency said today that a "rulemaking process" in response to its request for information on climate-smart farm practices is "under consideration" but did not elaborate. Agriculture secretary Tom Vilsack had insisted earlier this year that his department would release some package before the end of Biden's term. Some industry groups remain pessimistic that the Biden administration will answer all of the thorny questions still lingering around the 45Z credit, especially given signals earlier this year that other Inflation Reduction Act programs would take priority. The Renewable Fuels Association, which represents ethanol producers, says final regulations around 45Z "seem highly unlikely" before the end of Biden's term but that it hopes Treasury releases at least some "basic information" or safe harbor provisions. Delays getting credit guidance could prod Congress to extend expiring biofuel incentives for another year, including a $1/USG credit for blenders of biomass-based diesel. Some formerly skeptical lobbying groups have recently come on board in support of an extension, fearing that biofuel production could slump next year given the lack of 45Z guidance and uncertainty about how Trump will implement clean energy tax credits. But four lobbyists speaking on background told Argus today that the proposal still faces long odds. Congress has various other priorities for its relatively brief lame duck session, including government funding and disaster aid, that take precedence over biofuels. A staffer with the Democratic-controlled US Senate Finance Committee said last month that Republicans have been reluctant to negotiate tax policy in a divided Congress this year when they are planning a far-reaching tax package under unified Republican control next year. By Cole Martin Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2024. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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