AMLO defends Mexican climate policy

: Emissions
23/11/29

Mexican president Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador defended Mexico's climate change policy ahead of the Cop 28 climate talks in Dubai that will start on Thursday, suggesting the country would play an active role in the summit.

"We are advancing in the energy transition, in the use of renewable energy and we are going to contribute a lot [to the summit]," Lopez Obrador said today.

The president also pointed to his reforestation program that is "helping to fight climate change."

Lopez Obrador has not attended any of the global climate summits held during his administration and foreign minister Alicia Barcena is expected to represent Mexico at this year's talks.

The government has yet to outline its proposals for the climate talks beyond support for increased climate financing for poorer countries suffering the impacts of climate change such as flooding, rising sea levels and extreme heat waves. But the president's renewable energy claims are exaggerated.

Mexico announced its Sonora Plan at last year's climate talks in Egypt, envisioning construction of five new solar parks across northern Mexico, but so far only the 1GW Puerto Penasco solar plant has been put into service with 120MW and just 450MW is under construction.

The plan was designed to help Mexico meet its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 35pc by 2030 from a 2000 baseline, announced at last year's talks.

Aside from the first 120MW of solar capacity operating at the Puerto Penasco plant, Mexico's power utility CFE has built no new renewable energy capacity during Lopez Obrador's administration and has put a stop to generation permits for private sector renewable developers.

Mexico is also the only OECD country that has not set a net-zero emissions target. Other countries have sought to transition away from conventional fuel use in the electricity industry and curtail oil and gas production, but Mexico has sought to hike crude production and increase fuel oil and coal-powered electricity generation.

Mexico has committed to generating 35pc of electricity from renewable sources by 2024 but it will miss its target by at least 4pc, according to energy ministry statistics.

By Rebecca Conan

Related news posts

Argus illuminates the markets by putting a lens on the areas that matter most to you. The market news and commentary we publish reveals vital insights that enable you to make stronger, well-informed decisions. Explore a selection of news stories related to this one.

25/12/17

EU's Hoekstra confident of CBAM export support

Brussels, 17 December (Argus) — European climate and taxation commissioner Wopke Hoekstra is "absolutely" confident that EU member states will give "full" support to an EU-wide temporary decarbonisation fund for carbon leakage in industrial sectors covered by the bloc's carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM). This is despite the European Commission proposing that 25pc of CBAM revenues originally earmarked for national budgets now finance the CBAM fund. "We're not going to make this part of the EU budget. This is money that immediately is going to be spent on the companies of member states," Hoekstra told Argus , noting that the fund is helping EU states' own industries. Financing the fund may still be contentious, especially for EU countries. In addition to proposing that the fund be financed by revenues currently earmarked for EU states' budgets, the commission leaves untouched the remaining 75pc earmarked for the EU budget. Hoekstra said that CBAM's increased scope, expanded to downstream products, "roughly" equates to the financing required for the fund. "We did not try to design it exactly that way. But it is convenient because it makes the conversation with member states even easier," Hoekstra said. The European Parliament and EU member states are likely to amend the revised CBAM regulation and accompanying laws before adoption. Under the proposal, over 140 CN goods categories produced by EU-based manufacturers will receive support from the fund. The commission does not propose any differentiation between support given to manufacturers' EU exports and locally sold goods. The commission is proposing extending CBAM to certain steel and aluminium-intensive downstream products from the start of 2028. A further 180 CN custom duty codes will include some 7,500 new importers under the mechanism. A wide range of iron and steel products are proposed for inclusion, including stranded wire, ropes, cables, washing machines, sawing machines and even metal furniture. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

EcoCeres exports first SAF output from Malaysia's Johor

25/12/17

EcoCeres exports first SAF output from Malaysia's Johor

Singapore, 17 December (Argus) — Hong Kong-based biofuels producer EcoCeres has exported the first sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) volumes produced at its new hydrotreated biofuels plant in Johor, Malaysia, according to a company LinkedIn post and company sources. EcoCeres exported 10,000t of SAF last week, a company source said. The cargo was purchased by Mitsui Energy Trading Singapore (Mets), a subsidiary of Mitsui, and was loaded on a vessel that sailed from Tanjung Langsat and is bound for Europe, EcoCeres said in its LinkedIn post. The Medium Range vessel Stolt Glory loaded 10,000t of SAF from Tanjung Langsat on 5 December, and is due to reach Rotterdam in mid-January, according to Kpler data. But another company source declined to confirm if this was EcoCeres' cargo. The biofuels producer previously produced its first on-specification SAF volumes at Johor in October . The plant, which can produce a maximum of 420,000 t/year of SAF and hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), is now running at full rates, a company source said. The Argus fob ARA SAF price fell to nearly four-month lows of $2,247/t on 3 December, but has since risen slightly to $2,281/t as of 16 December. The decline was likely on the back of a lack of urgency among EU suppliers to fulfill mandates at the start of the new obligation year, although some volumes were traded this week , possibly because buyers were locking in deals in advance. EcoCeres also operates another 350,000 t/yr SAF and HVO plant in Jiangsu, China. By Sarah Giam Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

US House clears hurdle to pass permitting bill

25/12/16

US House clears hurdle to pass permitting bill

Washington, 16 December (Argus) — Republicans in the US House of Representatives have overcome an initial obstacle to passing a marquee permitting overhaul bill after committing to vote on key amendments that would strip out potential benefits for offshore wind. Republicans in the House voted 215-209 in a vote on Tuesday to approve a rule that will dictate the terms of debate for votes later this week on the SPEED Act, which has become the focus of bipartisan efforts to fast-track the permitting process for pipelines, electric transmission lines, railroads and other infrastructure. A group of far-right conservatives initially voted against the rule, but most reversed course during the vote in exchange for revisions that have yet to be made public. The Tuesday vote was one of the last remaining hurdles to House passage of the SPEED Act, which is expected to pick up some Democratic votes when it comes up for a final vote later this week. The House majority typically is responsible for putting up all the votes for a rule, meaning it would only take a few Republicans to block bill debate. Republicans were uncertain they would have enough votes for the rule, as far-right conservatives such as US representative Andy Harris (R-Maryland) and others were lobbying for changes. On Monday, US representative August Pfluger (R-Texas) urged attendees of a conference to put as "much effort as you possibly can" into persuading wavering Republicans to support the permitting bill. Pfluger is the chair of the Republican Study Commission, a caucus that represents a majority of House Republicans. "Go talk to them and let them know how important this is," Pfluger said during an event organized by the think tank the Conservative Coalition for Climate Solutions. Ahead of the vote, an industry coalition on Tuesday released a joint letter offering "strong support" for the bill. Among the signatories were the American Petroleum Institute, the US Chamber of Commerce, the Association of American Railroads and the US LNG Association. President Donald Trump has yet to take an explicit position on the SPEED Act, but administration officials are optimistic permitting legislation could be enacted. "I think we are at a time where the chance of a real permitting reform bill is higher maybe than it's ever been," US energy secretary Chris Wright said at the event on Monday. The SPEED Act would focus on the implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), a decades-old law that requires federal agencies to prepare environmental reviews of infrastructure projects. Pipeline companies and renewable energy developers alike blame the law for costly delays, both because of the time it takes for agencies to issue reviews and then the risks that permits will be thrown out because of lawsuits. The bill would narrow the scope of environmental reviews, aligning with a unanimous US Supreme Court ruling this summer. But the bill's most significant changes would make permits more durable. Even if a court found a NEPA review was flawed, the bill would keep permits intact during further analysis. And in a last-minute change, the bill would offer more permit "certainty" by limiting the government's ability to rescind prior approvals. That could protect pipeline permits such as the now-canceled Keystone XL pipeline, while also stopping Trump from halting more offshore wind projects. But the permit certainty language drew concern from far-right conservatives who oppose offshore wind. House Republicans in response agreed to vote on an amendment sponsored by Harris and others that would remove the "permit certainty" changes. Two other amendment votes also backed by Harris would stop expedited permitting treatment in the SPEED Act for offshore wind or any project that Trump has sought to block. Passage of those amendments could cost some Democratic support for the bill. Even if the bill passes, it is expected to be subject to major changes in the US Senate to attract enough support from Democrats to prevent a filibuster. Senate Democrats are hoping to insert language that would prevent what they describe as a "solar ban" being enforced by the Trump administration. By Chris Knight Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

EU eases ICE phase-out with 2035 CO2 car target: Update

25/12/16

EU eases ICE phase-out with 2035 CO2 car target: Update

Adds details on credits, transport commissioner comment in paragraphs 4-6 Brussels, 16 December (Argus) — The European Commission has proposed a new 90pc cut in car fleet emissions by 2035, replacing the previously agreed 100pc target that would have effectively phased out the sale of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles from that date The plan would allow some new ICE vehicles to remain on sale beyond 2035, alongside plug-in hybrids, range extenders and mild hybrids, as well as electric and hydrogen cars. The remaining 10pc of emissions would need to be offset through low-carbon steel, e-fuels or biofuels, according to the commission. The proposals need to be adopted by a majority in the European Parliament and among EU states. Automakers could also "bank and borrow" credits between 2030-32 to help meet the existing 2030 target of a 55pc cut from 2021 levels. Under the new proposals, manufacturers using these flexibilities would only need to achieve a 40pc fleet-average reduction, down from a previously planned 50pc. The commission indicated that credits for greenhouse gas (GHG) savings from e-fuels and biofuels can compensate up to 3pc of manufacturers' reference targets for 2035 and low-carbon steel credits can compensate for a further 7pc. Transport commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas said the credit system will boost uptake of sustainable fuels. "This is a clear signal than other technologies than battery electric vehicles (BEV) can be put on the market after 2035," said Tzitzikostas. Expanded carbon-neutral criteria would allow sustainable biofuels to help meet the targets that currently require 0g/km from 2035. EU renewable ethanol group ePure said emissions from ethanol were 79pc lower than fossil fuels in 2024, in line with previous years. The European Biodiesel Board reported savings of 77-81pc for biodiesel, using the official fossil fuel comparator of 94g of CO2e/MJ. German MEP Peter Liese criticised the original ICE ban, but said industry problems stem from market shifts, not from Brussels. "The industry must stop shifting the blame for its own mistakes and for market developments, for example in China, onto Brussels," he said, adding that he will push for green steel recognition before 2035. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

EU eases ICE phase-out with new 2035 CO2 car target

25/12/16

EU eases ICE phase-out with new 2035 CO2 car target

Brussels, 16 December (Argus) — The European Commission has proposed a new 90pc cut in car fleet emissions by 2035, replacing the previously agreed 100pc target that would have effectively phased out internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. The plan would allow some ICE vehicles to remain in use beyond 2035, alongside plug-in hybrids, range extenders and mild hybrids, as well as electric and hydrogen cars. The remaining 10pc of emissions would need to be offset through low-carbon steel, e-fuels or biofuels, according to the commission. The proposals need to be adopted by a majority in the European Parliament and among EU states. Automakers could also "bank and borrow" credits between 2030-32 to help meet the existing 2030 target of a 55pc cut from 2021 levels. Under the new proposals, manufacturers using these flexibilities would only need to achieve a 40pc fleet-average reduction, down from a previously planned 50pc. Expanded carbon-neutral criteria would allow sustainable biofuels to help meet the targets that currently require 0g/km from 2035. EU renewable ethanol group ePure said emissions from ethanol were 79pc lower than fossil fuels in 2024, in line with previous years. The European Biodiesel Board reported savings of 77-81pc for biodiesel, using the official fossil fuel comparator of 94g of CO2e/MJ. German MEP Peter Liese criticised the original ICE ban, but said industry problems stem from market shifts, not from Brussels. "The industry must stop shifting the blame for its own mistakes and for market developments, for example in China, onto Brussels," he said, adding that he will push for green steel recognition before 2035. By Dafydd ab Iago Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Business intelligence reports

Get concise, trustworthy and unbiased analysis of the latest trends and developments in oil and energy markets. These reports are specially created for decision makers who don’t have time to track markets day-by-day, minute-by-minute.

Learn more

AMLO defends Mexican climate policy

Related news posts

EU's Hoekstra confident of CBAM export support

EU's Hoekstra confident of CBAM export support

EcoCeres exports first SAF output from Malaysia's Johor

EcoCeres exports first SAF output from Malaysia's Johor

US House clears hurdle to pass permitting bill

US House clears hurdle to pass permitting bill

EU eases ICE phase-out with 2035 CO2 car target: Update

EU eases ICE phase-out with 2035 CO2 car target: Update

EU eases ICE phase-out with new 2035 CO2 car target

EU eases ICE phase-out with new 2035 CO2 car target

Argus North American Long-Term Electricity Forward Curves

Argus North American Long-Term Electricity Forward Curves

Argus North American Long-Term Electricity Forward Curves

Argus North American Long-Term Electricity Forward Curves

Argus Carbon

Argus Low Carbon Hydrogen Strategy Report

Argus Hydrogen and Future Fuels

Business intelligence reports