ESG International Weekly News 10/21 - 10/27

October 29,2024
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Resource:ESG TODAY

1.EU Invests €4.8 Billion in Decarbonization Projects Funded Through Carbon Pricing System

歐盟通過碳定價系統投資48億歐元於減碳項目


The European Commission announced today that it has selected 85 decarbonization technology-focused projects to receive €4.8 billion in grants utilizing funds raised through its EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS).

Established in 2005, the European Emission Trading System puts a price on carbon emissions for key greenhouse gas-intensive sectors such as electricity and heat generation, oil refineries, steel, cement, paper, chemicals, and commercial aviation. In 2023, EU lawmakers agreed to expand the EU ETS’s scope, tightening emissions reduction targets for covered sectors and extending the system to new industries. The ETS is now expected to generate approximately €40 billion in revenues between 2020-2030.

The grants are part of the Innovation Fund, one of the world’s largest funding programs for net-zero technologies, supporting the European Green Deal’s objective to enhance Europe’s competitiveness and move toward climate neutrality. The Innovation Fund provides financial incentives for both public and private sectors to invest in advanced net-zero and low-carbon technologies.

This announcement marks the fourth and largest wave of grants by the fund, bringing total awards to date to €12 billion. For the first time, this funding round includes a focus on projects of varying scales—large, medium, and small—including cleantech manufacturing, wind and solar energy components, heat pumps, energy storage, and the battery value chain.

Other categories covered by the grants include technologies to cut emissions in energy-intensive industries, industrial carbon management (which is expected to contribute 13% toward the Net-Zero Industry Act’s goal of storing at least 50 million tonnes of CO2), renewable hydrogen projects, and emission reduction in mobility sectors, particularly maritime.The Commission will issue the next call for proposals in December 2024.


歐洲委員會今日宣布,將為85個專注於減碳技術的項目提供48億歐元的補助金,這些資金來自其歐盟排放交易系統(EU ETS)。

歐盟排放交易系統於2005年設立,對關鍵的溫室氣體密集型行業(如電力與熱力生產、石油精煉、鋼鐵、水泥、造紙、化工和商業航空)排放的碳設置價格。2023年,歐盟立法者同意擴大EU ETS的範圍,加大覆蓋行業的排放減少要求,並將系統擴展到新領域。預計該系統將在2020至2030年間產生約400億歐元的收入。

這些補助金是由創新基金提供的,這是全球最大的淨零技術資金計劃之一,支持歐洲綠色新政的目標,旨在提升歐洲在淨零產業的競爭力,並推動歐盟向氣候中和過渡。該基金旨在為公司和公共部門投資先進的淨零和低碳技術提供財務激勵。

此次公告標誌著基金第四批且最大規模的補助金發放,累計獲得的資助金額達到120億歐元。本輪資金首次涵蓋不同規模的項目,從大型到中小型和試點項目,並首次涵蓋清潔技術製造,支持風能和太陽能關鍵組件、熱泵、電解槽、燃料電池、能源儲存技術及電池產業鏈的生產設施建設。其他涵蓋的項目類別包括能源密集型行業減排技術、工業碳管理,選定項目預計將為難減排行業貢獻13%的目標,即至少儲存5000萬噸二氧化碳;再生氫能,選定項目將每年交付61千噸非生物來源可再生燃料;以及零排放移動,重點關注海運領域的減排技術。委員會表示,將於2024年12月發布創新基金的下一輪提案徵集。



2.Hong Kong Tells Banks to Target Net Zero Financed Emissions, Disclose Climate Risks and Opportunities

香港金管局要求銀行設定目標實現淨零金融排放,披露氣候風險與機會
 

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), Hong Kong’s central banking institution, has launched its Sustainable Finance Action Agenda, which outlines a set of goals and planned actions to support green and sustainable finance. This agenda aims to aid the low-carbon transition and position Hong Kong as a regional “sustainable finance hub.”

Key initiatives of the agenda include a directive for banks to achieve net zero financed emissions by 2050 and enhance climate-related disclosures. The HKMA will also work to foster sustainable finance innovation and provide training programs for finance professionals.

The agenda is organized into four main priorities:

  1. Banking for Net Zero: This category focuses on banks reducing their own operational emissions by 2030 and financed emissions by 2050. Banks are expected to phase out high-emission assets and disclose climate-related risks and opportunities in alignment with international standards like the ISSB and Basel Committee frameworks.

  2. Investing in a Sustainable Future: The HKMA aims to achieve net zero in its Exchange Fund investment portfolio. It plans to increase sustainable investments and integrate ESG factors into investment decisions.

  3. Financing Net Zero: Hong Kong is to become a leading sustainable finance platform, encouraging sustainable financing and digital green bond issuance through subsidies and incentives.

  4. Making Sustainability More Inclusive: The HKMA will focus on enhancing the accessibility and transparency of climate data and disclosures while addressing talent gaps in sustainable finance by launching training programs in collaboration with industry bodies.

HKMA Chief Executive Eddie Yue emphasized the critical role that Hong Kong, as an international financial hub, can play in facilitating sustainable finance and managing the risks of the net zero transition.

香港金融管理局(HKMA),作為香港的中央銀行機構,推出了可持續金融行動議程,提出一系列目標和行動計劃,旨在支持綠色與可持續金融需求,促進低碳轉型,並將香港打造成為區域性的“可持續金融中心”。

該議程的主要舉措包括要求銀行在2050年前實現淨零金融排放,並強化氣候相關風險和機會的披露。此外,HKMA將促進可持續金融創新,並為金融專業人士提供相關的培訓課程。

議程共分為四大優先事項:

  1. 實現淨零的銀行業務:該項目要求銀行在2030年前實現自身運營的淨零排放,並在2050年前達成淨零金融排放目標。銀行需要淘汰高排放資產,並根據ISSB和巴塞爾委員會框架,對氣候相關風險和機會進行披露。

  2. 投資可持續未來:HKMA計劃實現其外匯基金投資組合的淨零排放,並擴大可持續投資範疇,將ESG因素納入投資決策。

  3. 推動淨零融資:香港將成為區域性的可持續融資平台,並透過補貼和激勵措施,鼓勵借款人通過香港進行可持續融資,推動綠色債券發行。

  4. 促進包容性的可持續發展:HKMA將著重提升氣候數據和披露的透明度與可及性,並解決可持續金融領域的專業人才短缺問題,推出專業培訓課程。

HKMA行政總裁余偉文強調,香港作為國際金融中心,具備責任和能力促進可持續資金流動,確保銀行妥善管理與淨零轉型相關的風險。


3.DOE Announces $900 Million Funding to Support Small Nuclear Reactor Deployment
美國能源部宣布提供高達9億美元的資金支持,開發小型核能反應堆技術

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has opened applications for funding of up to $900 million to support the development of Generation III+ small modular reactor (SMR) technologies. This funding initiative aims to accelerate the deployment of advanced nuclear reactor technologies across the U.S. and encourage follow-on reactor projects. These efforts are vital to support U.S. climate goals and meet the growing demand for clean, reliable, and affordable energy.

SMRs are smaller than traditional nuclear plants, offering advantages such as faster construction times, the ability to be located closer to energy grids, and the production of carbon-free power. As the U.S. aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, it will need an estimated 700-900 GW of additional power generation capacity. With nearly half of the nation’s carbon-free electricity already supplied by nuclear power, the DOE sees SMRs as a proven option to help meet future energy needs.

The funding is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. It will be distributed in two tiers:

First Mover Team Support: Up to $800 million for initial teams (utility, reactor vendors, constructors) committed to deploying a first plant.
Fast Follower Deployment Support: Up to $100 million to accelerate additional SMR deployments by addressing gaps in design, licensing, and other areas.
This announcement follows recent moves by tech giants like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft to integrate nuclear energy into their operations, helping meet the rising energy demands of data centers while addressing climate goals.

U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm emphasized the importance of revitalizing the nuclear sector in contributing carbon-free energy to the grid and supporting the growing economy, which spans sectors from AI to manufacturing.Ali Zaidi, White House National Climate Advisor, noted the resurgence in American energy innovation, including the revival of previously shuttered nuclear plants and the introduction of new technologies and reactors. He highlighted how Biden-Harris policies are spurring private sector investments into nuclear technologies, creating jobs and reducing energy costs.


美國能源部(DOE)宣布啟動申請,提供高達9億美元的資金支持,用於開發第三代+小型模組反應堆(SMR)技術。此資金旨在加速美國先進核反應堆技術的部署,並鼓勵後續反應堆項目,支持美國的氣候目標並滿足日益增長的清潔和負擔得起的能源需求。

SMR比傳統核電廠小,具有建造時間快、可部署於電網更近的地點以及生產無碳能源等優勢。根據DOE的預估,為實現2050年淨零排放目標,美國需要700至900吉瓦的額外發電能力,而核能目前提供了美國近一半的無碳電力,是實現該目標的重要選項。

這筆資金源自《2024年綜合法案》和《兩黨基礎設施法案》,分為兩個層次:

先行者團隊支持:最多8億美元支持承諾部署首座核電廠的團隊(包括公用事業、反應堆供應商、建設者等)。
快速跟進部署支持:最多1億美元,用於加速額外的SMR部署,解決設計、許可等方面的關鍵挑戰。
這筆資金的推出正值科技巨頭如谷歌、亞馬遜和微軟等公司尋求通過核能滿足其數據中心日益增長的能源需求,並實現其氣候目標之際。

美國能源部長珍妮弗·格蘭霍姆強調,重振美國核能行業對於將更多無碳能源添加到電網中至關重要,這對於從人工智能和數據中心到製造業和醫療保健等行業至關重要。白宮國家氣候顧問阿里·扎伊迪指出,美國能源創新正在全國範圍內蓬勃發展,強調了拜登-哈里斯政府政策如何推動私人投資,促進新技術和新反應堆的上線,降低能源成本,並創造高薪工作。


4.Mercedes-Benz Launches Battery Recycling Plant Producing New Vehicle-Grade Lithium, Nickel and Cobalt
梅賽德斯-賓士啟動新電池回收廠,回收鋰、鎳、鈷等關鍵材料

Mercedes-Benz has announced the opening of a new battery recycling plant in Kuppenheim, southern Germany, which marks a significant step towards creating a circular economy. The plant boasts a 96% recovery rate, allowing the company to recover key materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt for use in new electric vehicle batteries. The company invested tens of millions of euros into the project, which is receiving additional funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action as part of a research project with three German universities. The plant has an annual capacity of 2,500 tonnes of materials, supporting the production of over 50,000 battery modules.

The facility uses an innovative mechanical-hydrometallurgical process to recover materials with a high degree of purity, which can be reused in new batteries. Mercedes-Benz aims to make its fleet of new cars net carbon neutral by 2039 as part of its Ambition 2039 strategy, and this plant represents a major milestone in achieving that goal. The plant operates in a carbon-neutral manner and is powered by 100% green electricity.

梅賽德斯-賓士宣布在德國南部庫彭海姆啟動一座新的電池回收廠,這標誌著朝著循環經濟的重要邁進。該工廠具有96%的回收率,能夠回收鋰、鎳、鈷等關鍵材料,並將其用於新型電動汽車電池的生產。公司投資了數千萬歐元建設這座工廠,並獲得了德國聯邦經濟和氣候行動部的資金支持,該資金是與三所德國大學合作的科研項目的一部分。該工廠每年可處理2,500噸材料,支持生產超過50,000個電池模塊。

這座工廠採用創新的機械-濕法冶金工藝,能夠以極高純度回收材料,這些材料可重新用於新電池。梅賽德斯-賓士的Ambition 2039戰略目標是到2039年實現其新車隊的淨碳中和,該工廠是實現這一目標的重大里程碑。該工廠以碳中和方式運行,並由100%綠色電力供應。


5.NYC Proposes Ban on Investments in Fossil Fuel Infrastructure for Pension Funds
紐約市提案進一步擴大市政退休基金的化石燃料投資排除政策
 

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander has announced a proposal to further expand the city’s pension funds’ fossil fuel investment exclusion policy by halting future private market investments in midstream and downstream fossil fuel infrastructure, such as pipelines, distribution facilities, and LNG terminals. This decision builds on previous measures taken by the city’s pension funds to divest from fossil fuel reserve owners in 2018 and to exclude upstream fossil fuel investments, including exploration and extraction, in 2023.

The city’s pension funds, which include NYCERS, TRS, and BERS, hold over $200 billion in assets. The proposal is aimed at mitigating the systemic financial risks that climate change poses to the global economy and the city's pension funds, with Comptroller Lander emphasizing that “climate risk is financial risk.” The proposal will be presented to the pension funds’ trustees in early 2025 after thorough research and development.

紐約市主計長Brad Lander宣布了一項新提案,旨在進一步擴大市政退休基金的化石燃料投資排除政策,未來將停止對中游和下游化石燃料基礎設施(如管道、配送設施和液化天然氣終端)的私人市場投資。這一決定基於市政退休基金此前的行動,包括2018年撤資化石燃料儲備持有者,以及2023年排除上游化石燃料投資(包括勘探和開採)的決策。

紐約市的退休基金管理超過2000億美元資產,涵蓋紐約市雇員退休系統(NYCERS)、教師退休系統(TRS)和教育委員會退休系統(BERS)。此次提案旨在減少氣候變化對全球經濟和市政退休基金的系統性風險,主計長Lander強調「氣候風險就是金融風險」。該提案將在2025年初提交給退休基金的受託人,經過深入研究和發展,並評估其影響和後果後制定具體政策。

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