Cooking the books, a 50-year EV battery and Net Zero Standards on the way
In this issue:
Cooking the books
In 2023, European countries consumed around seven million tonnes of used cooking oil for biofuels. That’s around four times the continent’s maximum potential supply and around eight times the amount currently collected. The difference is made up of imports, mostly from China, Indonesia and Malaysia. Amazingly, Malaysia manages to export three times as much used cooking oil as it collects! China’s data is not quite so conclusive but also questionable according to analysis by Transport and Environment (T&E), which suspects widespread fraud in the market with virgin oil being blended into the used to cash in on huge demand. This demand is expected to soar as airlines work towards reducing emissions. Only last week, Air New Zealand took shipment of 500,000 litres of biofuels from China made from used cooking oil. T&E is calling for much stricter regulations and monitoring of the supply chain of used cooking oil for biofuels.
Net Zero Standards on the way
The International Standards Organisation (ISO) has just announced it is to develop standards on Net Zero. The ISO already publishes guidelines but is now aiming to launch a formal Standard in time for COP30 in 2025. It is inviting experts to engage in the development of the Standards through their national standards body, in our case New Zealand Standards Organisation. CEP is keen to support suitably qualified members in participating. Please let us know.
83% of cities facing climate hazards
That’s the conclusion of data reported to CDP by 1,131 cities worldwide. 56% report they are already experiencing hazards and around two thirds expect hazards to become more frequent and intense. Flooding is reported as the most common hazard, followed by extreme heat, drought, heavy rain and wildfires, in that order.
Greenwashing is rife
That’s the view of 94% of respondents to the National Environmental Services Survey of 1,500 UK environmental services professionals, with 80% expressing doubts over the credibility of carbon offsetting schemes. The survey goes on to report 99.7% believe technology has a role to play in accelerating the path to net zero with 49% indicating the role will be critical.
50 year EV battery
That’s the claim of Geely for its new short blade EV battery. Claiming the battery sets new benchmarks for safety and durability, the battery boasts an energy density of 192Wh/kg and a life of 3,500 cycles, or 1 million Kms, with minimal impact on range. The battery also offers significant improvements in charging times and cold temperature performance.
Catan goes green
Lovers of board games will be pleased to hear of the launch of Catan: New Energies, a variant of the popular game focused on the dilemma between developing renewables or cheaper, fossil fuel energy supplies.