Articles tagged with "biofuels"
EU to Phase Out Damaging Soy Biofuels - CleanTechnica
The European Union has decided to phase out soy-based biofuels from counting towards its renewable energy targets, following new research by the EU Commission that links soy biofuels to significant deforestation and indirect land-use change (ILUC). This move aims to reduce CO2 emissions and biodiversity loss caused by converting land for biofuel crop cultivation. Environmental groups like Transport & Environment (T&E) highlight that soy biofuels are twice as harmful to the planet as fossil diesel, and the phase-out will prevent soy from regions such as the Americas from entering European fuel supplies, especially in light of the EU-Mercosur trade deal. While soy biofuels are being removed, other feedstocks with high ILUC risks, such as sugarcane, remain eligible under EU renewable targets, posing ongoing environmental concerns. The global demand for biofuels continues to rise, with sugarcane biofuel production expected to increase by 50% by 2030, including in ecologically sensitive areas like Papua
energybiofuelsrenewable-energyEU-policydeforestationsustainabilityclimate-change16.6 Million People Work In Renewable Energy? - CleanTechnica
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reported that approximately 16.6 million people were directly or indirectly employed in the renewable energy sector in 2024, marking the highest global employment level recorded in this industry to date. This figure underscores that renewable energy is not solely an environmental initiative but also a significant economic driver supporting millions of jobs worldwide. The employment distribution across renewable sectors includes solar power (7.2 million jobs), biofuels (2.6 million), hydropower (2.3 million), wind power (1.9 million), and other sources such as solid biomass, solar heating/cooling, heat pumps, biogas, geothermal, and concentrating solar power. Geographically, China leads in renewable energy employment, followed by other Asian countries, the European Union, Brazil, India, and the United States. The report emphasizes that renewable energy jobs provide reasonable wages that support workers' livelihoods and contribute to broader economic activity. Furthermore, the transition to renewable energy requires ongoing education and
renewable-energyclean-energy-jobssolar-powerwind-powerbiofuelsenergy-transitionsustainable-energy-employmentA US Sustainable Aviation Fuel Startup Takes Aim At Fossil Fuels
The article highlights the advancements of Syzygy Plasmonics, a Houston-based US startup focused on sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a means to reduce reliance on fossil kerosene jet fuel. While electrification is considered the ideal solution for aircraft decarbonization, it currently applies mainly to small aircraft and short routes. For larger, long-haul aircraft, alternative liquid fuels like SAF remain critical. Syzygy’s approach involves a proprietary photoreactor technology called Rigel™, which uses renewable energy to produce light that drives chemical reactions in a biogas reactor. This method enables scalable production of hydrogen, syngas, and other fuels, including sustainable aviation fuels, by leveraging plasmonic metallic nanoparticles to catalyze reactions efficiently without combustion. The company’s technology builds on research from the 1970s and recent breakthroughs in plasmonic antenna systems, enabling practical commercial applications. Syzygy has attracted significant investment and support from both government agencies and major energy and industrial
energysustainable-aviation-fuele-fuelsrenewable-energyclean-technologybiofuelscarbon-captureEU 2035 Reversal: Playing for Time Won’t Make European Carmakers Great Again - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the European Commission’s recent proposal to relax the EU’s 2035 phase-out target for combustion engine vehicle sales, shifting from a zero-emissions goal to a 90% CO2 reduction target. This change would allow the continued sale of high-emission combustion engine vehicles and reduce battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales by up to 25% compared to the original target. The proposal includes granting carmakers credits for using green steel, advanced biofuels, and e-fuels, which Transport & Environment (T&E) criticizes as ineffective and potentially increasing reliance on unsustainable imports. T&E warns that extending combustion engine sales will divert crucial investment away from electrification, undermining Europe’s ability to compete with China’s rapidly advancing EV industry. While the EU introduced national electrification targets for large corporate fleets, T&E argues these targets lack ambition and allow plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) to count despite their higher real-world emissions, especially in corporate contexts where
energyelectric-vehiclesEU-regulationscombustion-enginesCO2-emissionsgreen-steelbiofuelsMicrosoft buys 3.6M metric tons of carbon removal from bioenergy plant
Microsoft has committed to purchasing 3.6 million carbon removal credits from a biofuels plant in Louisiana owned by C2X, which is expected to begin operations in 2029. The facility will convert forestry waste into over 500,000 metric tons of methanol, a versatile fuel for ships and planes as well as a chemical manufacturing feedstock. Importantly, the plant will capture and store approximately 1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, likely through underground sequestration. This purchase is part of Microsoft's broader strategy to offset its carbon emissions, especially as its expanding data center operations challenge its goal to become carbon negative by 2030. The company has made several similar carbon removal investments recently, including deals with Vaulted Deep, CO280, and Chestnut Carbon, underscoring its commitment to addressing its environmental impact through innovative carbon capture and removal solutions.
energycarbon-removalbioenergymethanol-productioncarbon-capturesustainable-energybiofuels120 Pigs Per Car: Oil Lobby’s EU Biofuels Loophole Could See Unsustainable Demand for Animal Fats and Used Cooking Oil - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica highlights concerns over a potential loophole in the EU’s 2035 zero-emission car law that would allow new combustion engines running on biofuels, such as animal fats and used cooking oil, to continue being sold. This loophole, supported by the fuels and car industries as well as the Italian government, could drastically increase demand for advanced biofuels derived from waste feedstocks. However, the sustainable supply of these biofuels is limited, and the demand from cars, aviation, and shipping sectors could be two to nine times higher than what can be sustainably sourced by 2050. For example, running one car on animal fats would require the equivalent of 120 pigs annually, illustrating the unsustainable scale of resource use. This increased demand risks diverting scarce biofuels away from hard-to-decarbonize sectors like aviation and shipping, and could undermine Europe’s transition to electric vehicles. The article also points out that Europe already imports over 80%
energybiofuelssustainable-energyEU-regulationsadvanced-biofuelsrenewable-fuelsenergy-importsBiofuels: Hope Or Hype? - CleanTechnica
The article from CleanTechnica critically examines the role of biofuels—plant-based fuels used as substitutes for gasoline and diesel—in the global energy landscape, particularly in the context of discussions at COP30 in Brazil. While biofuels have been promoted as a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels, especially with mandates like the U.S. Energy Policy Act of 2005 requiring ethanol blending, the article highlights significant environmental and resource drawbacks. The production of biofuels consumes vast amounts of cropland, leading to deforestation and grassland conversion, which paradoxically increases carbon dioxide emissions rather than reducing them. A 2025 study by Transport and Environment (T&E) found that biofuels generate 16% more CO₂ pollution than the fossil fuels they replace, and the land used for biofuel crops could instead feed 1.2 billion people or be used for solar energy production with far greater efficiency. The article underscores that biofuels are a poor climate solution due to their high land,
energybiofuelsrenewable-energyclimate-changecarbon-emissionssustainable-agriculturetransportation-energyScientists Call on Global Leaders to Limit Crop Biofuels Ahead of COP30 - CleanTechnica
Ahead of the COP30 climate negotiations in Belém, Brazil, nearly 100 scientists, including members of the Union of Concerned Scientists, have signed a letter urging global leaders to limit the expansion of crop-based biofuels. The call comes as Brazil promotes a pledge to quadruple the use of "sustainable fuels," including doubling biofuel consumption, as part of climate action efforts. However, scientific evidence indicates that biofuels currently produce on average 16% more greenhouse gas emissions than the fossil fuels they replace. By 2030, biofuels are projected to emit an additional 70 million tons of CO₂ equivalent annually—comparable to adding 30 million diesel cars to the roads. The letter highlights significant environmental and social risks associated with expanding biofuels, including damage to biodiversity-rich regions, depletion of scarce water resources, increased agricultural runoff, and exacerbation of global hunger through higher food prices and volatility. The scientists warn that this expansion risks repeating the destructive "biofu
energybiofuelsclimate-changesustainable-energyemissionsenvironmental-impactrenewable-energyU.S. Biofuels Production Capacity Growth Slowed in 2024 - CleanTechnica
The growth of U.S. biofuels production capacity significantly slowed in 2024, with an overall increase of only 3% from the start of 2024 to 2025. This deceleration was primarily driven by a marked slowdown in renewable diesel and other biofuels capacity additions, which grew by just 391 million gallons per year—less than one-third of the growth seen in 2022 and 2023. Notably, only two renewable diesel capacity expansions occurred in 2024, both in California: Phillips 66’s Rodeo refinery conversion, increasing capacity to 767 million gallons per year, and a new Renewable Fuels LLC plant in Bakersfield with 138 million gallons per year. However, these gains were partly offset by the closure or cessation of renewable diesel operations at four other facilities, reflecting shifts in biofuel and petroleum refining margins since 2020. In contrast to renewable diesel, biodiesel production capacity slightly declined in 2024 due to the closure
energybiofuelsrenewable-energysustainable-aviation-fuelrenewable-dieselbiodieselU.S.-energy-productionBrazil’s Sustainable Fuels Pledge Is Dangerously Ambitious and Risks Repeating Mistakes of the Past - CleanTechnica
The article discusses Brazil’s recent pledge, alongside India, Italy, and Japan, to quadruple global sustainable fuel use by 2035, a goal that implies more than doubling biofuel consumption. While Brazil’s commitment to reducing fossil fuel reliance in transport is positive, the article warns that such a rapid expansion of biofuels risks repeating past environmental mistakes. Historically, biofuel growth has driven significant deforestation and ecosystem damage, as seen with palm oil in Southeast Asia, where increased demand led to habitat destruction and a net rise in carbon emissions despite intentions to reduce them. The article highlights that the International Energy Agency (IEA) cautions against land expansion for biofuel crops, a critical caveat missing from Brazil’s pledge, raising concerns about sustainability. Brazil, the world’s second-largest biofuel producer, has long promoted biofuels through policies like RenovaBio, heavily relying on crops such as sugarcane, corn, and soy. These crops can lead to land degradation, water stress
energybiofuelssustainable-fuelsclimate-changedeforestationrenewable-energyBrazil-energy-policyUrgent Need for EU Action on E-Fuels, Taxation, & Air Traffic Growth - CleanTechnica
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has reported on the implementation of the ReFuelEU regulation, revealing that sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) uptake remains very low, with only 0.6% of jet fuel supplied to EU airports in 2024 being SAF. Although this figure reflects voluntary deliveries before mandatory quotas take effect, the EU’s current operational SAF production capacity of 1.4 million tonnes is sufficient to meet the 2025 and 2030 targets of 2% and 4.8%, respectively. However, the sector is heavily reliant on imported biofuel feedstocks—69% of which come from outside Europe, mainly China and Malaysia—with used cooking oils (UCOs) comprising 80% of the feedstock. This reliance raises concerns about fraud and sustainability, prompting calls for prioritizing European feedstocks. Notably, despite over 40 e-fuel projects underway in Europe, no e-fuels have yet entered the market, largely due to
energysustainable-aviation-fuelse-fuelsEU-aviationbiofuelscarbon-emissionsrenewable-energyBiofuels Globally Emit More CO2 Than The Fossil Fuels They Replace — Study - CleanTechnica
A recent study highlighted by CleanTechnica reveals that global biofuel production emits 16% more CO2 than the fossil fuels it aims to replace, primarily due to indirect effects such as farming practices and deforestation. Currently, biofuel crops occupy 32 million hectares—an area roughly the size of Italy—to supply just 4% of global transport energy demand. This land use is projected to increase by 60% by 2030, reaching 52 million hectares, equivalent to the size of France. Despite the growing promotion of advanced and waste biofuels, 90% of biofuel production still depends on food crops like corn, sugarcane, and vegetable oil, with a significant portion of vegetable oil burned in vehicles rather than used for food. The study also emphasizes the high water consumption of biofuels, requiring about 3,000 liters to drive 100 km, compared to just 20 liters for electric vehicles powered by solar energy. The analysis suggests that using only
energybiofuelsrenewable-energysolar-energycarbon-emissionsclimate-changesustainable-agricultureTerra Oleo’s oil-producing microbes could replace destructive palm oil plantations
Terra Oleo is a Singapore-based startup founded by Shen Ming Lee and Boon Uranukul that aims to develop sustainable alternatives to palm oil by using engineered microbes to convert agricultural waste into specialty oils. Lee, who grew up in a family deeply involved in the palm oil industry but felt conflicted about its environmental impact, teamed up with Uranukul, who had developed microbes capable of producing plastic precursors from waste during his doctoral research at MIT. Since 2022, Terra Oleo has been working stealthily to harness yeast species genetically optimized to produce high-value oils such as cocoa butter and specialty oleochemicals used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, bypassing the low-margin crude palm oil commodity stage. The startup has raised $3.1 million from investors including ADB Ventures and Better Bite Ventures, and is currently producing oils at a lab scale with plans to scale up to kilogram quantities. Terra Oleo’s microbial process offers significant cost advantages by producing target chemicals directly, eliminating expensive refining steps and potentially achieving
materialsbiotechnologysustainable-materialsbiofuelsmicrobial-engineeringagricultural-wastegreen-chemistryU.S. Biodiesel & Renewable Diesel Imports Fall Sharply in 2025 after Tax Credit Change - CleanTechnica
In the first half of 2025, U.S. imports of biodiesel and renewable diesel dropped sharply compared to previous years, reaching their lowest levels since 2012. Biodiesel imports fell from 35,000 barrels per day (b/d) in 1H24 to 2,000 b/d in 1H25, while renewable diesel imports declined from 33,000 b/d to 5,000 b/d. This decline is primarily attributed to the loss of a $1 per gallon tax credit (BTC) for imported biofuels, which was replaced in 2025 by a tax credit applying only to domestically produced fuels. This policy change created an economic disadvantage for imports. Additionally, overall U.S. consumption of these fuels decreased due to uncertainty around blending requirements and negative profit margins, with renewable diesel consumption down about 30% and biodiesel consumption down about 40% compared to 1H24. The combined effect of reduced consumption and the tax credit
energybiodieselrenewable-dieselbiofuelstax-creditsU.S.-energy-policyfuel-importsShell Stops Work On Rotterdam Biofuels Facility - CleanTechnica
Shell has officially abandoned its biofuels facility project in Rotterdam, which began construction in 2021 and was poised to become one of Europe’s largest producers of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and biodiesel. The company cited unfavorable market conditions and high costs relative to fossil fuels as the primary reasons for halting the project. Despite broad environmental consensus on the benefits of SAF, airlines have been reluctant to adopt it widely due to its higher price. Shell’s downstream renewables president, Machteld de Haan, emphasized that the decision was driven by competitiveness concerns and a focus on shareholder value, though the company still supports biofuels as part of the future energy mix. The Rotterdam facility was aligned with the European Union’s emissions reduction goals, but Shell’s withdrawal reflects a broader trend of major oil companies scaling back climate initiatives in favor of traditional oil and gas production, drawing criticism from environmental groups. The article highlights a key economic challenge: fossil fuels benefit from indirect government subsidies by not accounting for the
energybiofuelssustainable-aviation-fuelrenewable-energyemissions-reductionfossil-fuelsclimate-changeThe EIB Lent €7 Billion to Dirty Transport Projects — Analysis - CleanTechnica
The European Investment Bank (EIB), despite branding itself as the ‘EU climate bank’ since 2021, lent over €7 billion between 2021 and 2024 to transport projects that increase CO2 emissions, according to analysis by the green group Transport & Environment (T&E). Notably, €6.1 billion was allocated to new road construction, including a €200 million motorway project in Poland that cuts through protected nature areas and is expected to emit over 3,000 tonnes of CO2-equivalent. The EIB controversially counted this motorway project as part of its climate spending, citing improved climate resilience. Additionally, the bank lent nearly €890 million for airport expansions, including €90 million to Bologna Airport and €800 million to the Spanish airport operator Aena, which plans to expand multiple airports, contradicting the bank’s own environmental rules and undermining efforts to reduce aviation emissions. The EIB also financed biofuel projects with questionable sustainability, lending about €1 billion
energytransportationEuropean-Investment-Bankclimate-financebiofuelsemissionsinfrastructureShipping Is Flying The Flag For Multilateral Climate Action: Why Aren’t We Celebrating Yet? - CleanTechnica
The article discusses the recent climate agreement reached by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the shipping industry. This deal, influenced heavily by Europe’s earlier regulatory actions, sets ambitious targets for 2030, 2040, and aims for net-zero emissions by 2050. For the first time, the IMO established a globally binding regulation with a mandate to reduce the carbon intensity of shipping fuels over time, coupled with a penalty pricing system for ships that fail to meet these targets. This represents a significant multilateral climate action milestone, as it introduces a sector-specific mechanism to generate revenues for decarbonization efforts. However, the article highlights major criticisms of the agreement. The deal is seen as insufficiently ambitious, exempting nearly 90% of shipping emissions from penalties and generating only about $10 billion annually—comparable to the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) but on a global scale. More concerning is the agreement’s potential to
energyclimate-changeshipping-industrybiofuelscarbon-emissionsdecarbonizationinternational-maritime-organizationTrump's Iran Bombing Will Accelerate Global Electrification & Biofuels - CleanTechnica
The June 2025 U.S. bombing of Iran’s nuclear facilities by the U.S. and Israel triggered a sharp surge in global oil prices, highlighting the vulnerabilities of heavy reliance on petroleum, especially in geopolitically sensitive regions like the Persian Gulf. President Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and demands for swift peace have intensified uncertainty in energy markets, contributing to inflation fears and renewed recessionary pressures in fragile economies such as the United States. This economic strain, dubbed the "Trumpcession," is squeezing American consumers through rising gasoline prices, paradoxically increasing interest in electric vehicles (EVs) and alternative transport options despite limited federal support. In contrast, China is responding strategically by accelerating its electrification and renewable energy initiatives, aiming to reduce its critical exposure to oil import disruptions. Already a global leader in EV production, battery manufacturing, and renewable deployment, China plans to expand EV quotas, invest heavily in battery factories, and build extensive charging infrastructure to enhance energy security. Similarly, the European Union views the crisis as
energyelectrificationbiofuelselectric-vehiclesrenewable-energybattery-manufacturingenergy-securityGeothermal Industry Sends A 163-Gigawatt Letter To Fossil Fuels
The article discusses the renewed focus on geothermal energy in the United States amid President Donald Trump’s second term, which prioritized coal, oil, gas, and geothermal energy under a “National Energy Emergency” declaration issued on January 20. While traditional renewables like wind and solar were excluded from this emergency status, geothermal energy, along with biofuels and hydropower, was recognized as a critical energy resource. Despite this inclusion, legislative support—particularly tax provisions in the federal budget bill (BBB)—has yet to fully materialize, leaving geothermal’s financial incentives uncertain as Congress debates the final bill. Significantly, the US geothermal industry is poised for growth, bolstered by new Department of Energy research and development programs that leverage enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) technology. This approach uses advanced drilling techniques adapted from oil and gas to create viable geothermal power sites beyond the limited traditional locations west of the Rockies. A recent US Geological Survey assessment revealed that New Mexico alone holds an estimated 163 gigawat
energygeothermal-energyrenewable-energyUS-energy-policybiofuelshydropowerenergy-infrastructureThe US Produced More Energy than Ever Before in 2024 - CleanTechnica
In 2024, the United States achieved a record high in total energy production, surpassing 103 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu), marking a 1% increase over the previous record set in 2023. Key contributors to this growth included natural gas, crude oil, natural gas plant liquids (NGPL), biofuels, solar, and wind energy, each setting new domestic production records. Natural gas remained the largest source of U.S. energy since 2011, accounting for nearly 38 trillion cubic feet in 2024, consistent with 2023 levels. Crude oil production also hit a record, increasing by 2%, primarily driven by output from the Permian Basin in New Mexico and Texas. Conversely, coal production declined to its lowest annual output since 1964, reflecting a long-term decrease since coal was the dominant energy source from 1984 through 2010. NGPLs, which include fuels like ethane and propane associated with natural gas, accounted for about 9% of total U.S. energy production and rose 7% from 2023, continuing a growth trend since 2005. Renewable energy sources such as biofuels, wind, and solar also set production records, contributing to the overall energy increase. Notably, biofuel production, including sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), reached 1.4 million barrels per day, a 6% rise from the previous year. The article highlights that while some traditional energy sources used primarily for electricity generation have peaked decades ago, the U.S. continues to diversify its energy mix with increasing contributions from renewables and cleaner fuels. The data referenced in the article comes from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and uses standardized energy units (Btu) to compare different energy types. The report underscores the ongoing transition in U.S. energy production, with fossil fuels like natural gas and oil still dominant but renewable and alternative energy sources growing rapidly. The article also encourages readers to engage with CleanTechnica’s content for further analysis and updates on energy trends.
energyrenewable-energyUS-energy-productionnatural-gascrude-oilbiofuelssolar-powerNREL & Crysalis Biosciences Collaborate To Scale Up Domestic Biomanufacturing Technologies - CleanTechnica
energybiomanufacturingbiofuelsbiomassrenewable-energychemicalsmaterialsWhy Shipping’s Low-Carbon Future Relies More on Batteries & Biofuels Than Methanol - CleanTechnica
energylow-carbonmaritime-shippingdecarbonizationbiofuelsbatteriesmethanolWizz Air’s Sewage-to-Fuel Deal Helps Blow Up Five Energy Myths - CleanTechnica
energydecarbonizationaviationbiofuelsliquid-fuelselectrificationclimate-changeU.S. Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production Takes Off As New Capacity Comes Online
energysustainable-aviation-fuelbiofuelsrenewable-energyU.S.-energy-policyclean-technologyalternative-fuels