From pipeline to pipe dream: why there’s no such thing as shipping carbon-neutral LNG 

by Wijnand StoefsShippingPosted on Comments are Disabled

This opinion piece was first published on Splash247 on 22 March “Carbon-neutral” liquefied natural gas (LNG) is the new kid on the block when it comes to fake climate credentials. The number of deals across the world is growing at an alarming pace. This greenwashing trend is wrong at many levels. First, let it be …

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Concrete ideas to divert attention

by Wijnand StoefsCarbon dioxide removalsPosted on Comments are Disabled

Debunking industrial carbon removal claims: Cembureau Removing carbon from the atmosphere as a concept is gaining traction around the world. While some form of it will likely be needed to keep global temperature rise below 1.5 degrees, cutting pollution must remain the immediate priority.  As industry struggles to imagine or operationalise net-zero emissions plans by …

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Carbon removals: a hot topic that requires a cool head

by Wijnand StoefsCarbon dioxide removalsPosted on Comments are Disabled

There is a lot of hype around possibilities of sucking carbon out of the atmosphere and the topic is also on the EU policy-making agenda. Plenty of ways to do this exists already, but all of them come with challenges. Understanding and defining what “carbon dioxide removals” are, is a first step towards avoiding policy …

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EU Commission waters down carbon market state aid rules to please large polluters

by Wijnand StoefsEU carbon marketPosted on Comments are Disabled

The final EU carbon market state aid rules will ensure massive handouts of taxpayer money to large polluting industries such as oil refineries and plastic producers over the next decade.  The EU ETS state aid guidelines for 2021-2030 set the framework for EU countries to compensate their electricity-intensive industries deemed at risk of ‘carbon leakage’ …

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Dirty Cruise: Time to demand environmental action from shipping

by Wijnand StoefsShippingPosted on Comments are Disabled

Scroll down for French and Spanish The international shipping sector is also being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and any government response to support this industry should accelerate the pathway to climate neutrality. Shipping accounts for 3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, and this could grow by between 50 and 250% by 2050 if no …

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Towards more sustainable and transparent investments?

by Wijnand StoefsThe EU Green Deal and Climate LawPosted on Comments are Disabled

New European reporting guidelines would make it mandatory for large companies to disclose the climate impact of their activities as well as how they plan to mitigate it. This would bring more clarity for consumers, taxpayers and investors alike on how their money is spent and therefore lead to more sustainable investments.   The European Commission …

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The EU to improve its carbon market rules despite corona – survey

by Wijnand StoefsEffort Sharing Regulation, EU carbon market, Global markets, The EU Green Deal and Climate LawPosted on Comments are Disabled

The annual carbon market survey by the financial market data analyst Refinitiv shows high confidence in the European Green Deal in strengthening the EU carbon market.   First, the 80 respondents that answered to the questions about EU policies, see the EU emissions trading system (EU ETS) as the most important tool for reducing greenhouse gas …

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What “negative emissions”?

by Wijnand Stoefs2050 climate strategiesPosted on Comments are Disabled

To limit global heating to 1.5 degrees, it will no longer be enough to just cut our pollution; some emissions will likely have to be removed from the atmosphere and permanently stored. Together with partners, Carbon Market Watch launches a new project with the aim to provide decision-makers with concrete policy recommendations to ensure responsible …

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High time the maritime sector sailed into the EU carbon market

by Wijnand StoefsShippingPosted on Comments are Disabled

The EU is considering putting a price on carbon pollution from ships in the absence of movement in the international talks. While not enough to curb the sector’s soaring emissions, bringing it under Europe’s carbon market would be a big step in the right direction. Right now finding the solutions to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) …

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