There was a moment in 2020 when it seemed that the only possible upside of the global pandemic was the massive drop in emissions. For example, the greenhouse (GHG) emissions in the UK fell at the fastest rate in almost 100 years. Successive national lockdowns led to an unprecedented fall in transport emissions, according to Government data.
Overall GHG emissions in 2020 fell by 8.9%, although just after the first lockdown in the UK they fell by almost a third compared with 2019. This is the biggest fall since records began back in 1990. Historically, it’s the biggest annual emissions decline since 1926 when the Great Strike caused them to fall by 35%.
Why innovative tech firms like Renovare Fuels are key to hitting targets
The fall in emissions last year is mostly down to the huge reduction in road transport due to lockdowns. The corresponding decline in business activity also contributed, according to the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). Data shows that in 2019 emissions reached 454.8 million tonnes, while 2020 recorded 414.1 million tonnes.
However, while the fall was relatively significant, it wasn’t as much as people were hoping and following the first national lockdowns, emissions immediately began climbing. There is no reason to suspect that 2021 will not register record high emissions now that the business and hospitality sectors have opened up.
The UK is not even halfway towards its stated goal of zero emissions by 2050. And there must be an introduction of significant new green technology to move the country further towards this goal. And this is where innovate tech companies like Renovare Fuels come in.
Urgent need for global Governments to invest in technological solutions
These figures are for the UK only, but countries around the world also saw significant falls in emissions during times of national lockdown. France showed the biggest fall of all, with a total decrease of 15%. However, now that the vaccination rollouts are well underway, it’s clear that it was only temporary. According to the Guardian scientists say the decline in 2020 is merely a “drop in the ocean”.
Scientists go on to say that it’s inevitable that there will be a sharp increase in emissions during 2021. As the fall in emissions was down to behavioural changes due to an outside event (ie. the pandemic), and not from structural reform, it follows that when the impact of the pandemic is over then so is the behavioural changes.
Industry leaders, climate activists and many other stakeholders are highlighting the urgency with which global governments must now instigate bold moves to see a true green recovery. In June 2020, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) published its annual report to the Government. Within the report is advice on how to speed up the fuel transmission from fossil fuels to cleaner sources of energy.
For the first time in its history the CCC has actually outlined and described direct action for each Governmental department. The report is clear that steps must be implemented right now to further the cause of a green recovery from the pandemic.
Turning waste biogas into fuel can revolutionise transport emissions
Technological innovation is at the heart of any kind of realistic green recovery. For example, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology cuts emissions compared with traditional energy sources. This therefore helps to decarbonise the process of energy production.
While billions must be invested at a global level to properly push the green transition in any meaningful way, CCS holds the key to drastically reducing emission levels. The technology works by capturing carbon when it’s produced and then compressing it. This creates a usable liquid that can be used to refill gas and oil reservoirs and can be used in creating steam energy and other industrial processes such as strengthening concrete.
Technology that capitalises on producing energy from waste (EfW) is also an important part of the journey towards green recovery. Using the right technology means that a high proportion of biodegradable waste can generate usable fuels. At Renovare Fuels, we’ve been testing a demo of technology that turns waste biogas energy into a liquid fuel that can be used to power vehicles.
After extensive research, we launched a trial in the US. It’s been up and running for more than a year now and has been independently verified. The fuel generated through this process could potentially displace up to 98% of carbon emissions compared with fossil fuels. By 2030, we intend to have produced 250 million litres of this revolutionary fuel. For more information, see https://www.renovare-fuels.co.uk/
About Chairman of Renovare Fuels
Matthew Stone is an active investor in clean technology and the design and manufacture of sustainable liquid fuel. Matthew works with a wide-ranging investor network, which includes high profile private investors, family offices, sovereign wealth funds and major corporations. He is also the chairman of Renovare Fuels, an innovative company that specialises in clean technology within the waste-to-energy sector.
About Renovare Fuels Limited
Renovare Fuels is working on creating a sustainable liquid fuel replacement for Jet A1 and diesel fuel by converting biogas generated from waste. Using patented technology, Renovare Fuels turns biogas into liquid fuel in a process that could displace billions of litres of fossil fuels every year.
This technology that has been developed by Renovare Fuels and which was created by a team working with the US Department of Energy and NASA, converts biogas emitted from waste material into a high-grade liquid fuel. This can be used to power everything from cars to planes.
How Matthew Stone Pioneers Biofuel Manufacturing with Renovare Fuels
Chairman Matthew Stone has been consulting, advising and specialising in energy, biomass processing and clean tech for over 12 years. He has developed an international reputation for transforming clean tech start-ups into successful commercial entities during this time.