by Géraldine Kutas | Aug 31, 2019 | ethanol, sustainability
The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is a vital component of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) policy to enhance America’s energy security and reduce the impact of transportation emissions on the environment. As global leaders in search for clean, renewable...
by Géraldine Kutas | Jul 8, 2019 | sugarcane sector, sustainability
20 years to the day of negotiations beginning, an agreement was reached on the EU-Mercosur deal. Cautious optimism had been growing for some weeks, but when the confirmation was received late on Friday 28thJune, it came nonetheless as a huge surprise. Here we...
by Géraldine Kutas | Jan 17, 2019 | biofuels, environmental protection
As we wind down towards the end-of-year holiday period, it’s time to take pause for our traditional reflection on the challenges and successes of the past year, and to take stock of opportunities and objectives for the year to come. One of the major European...
by Géraldine Kutas | Nov 13, 2018 | biofuels, environmental protection
With today’s European Parliament (EP) approval of REDII (495 in favour, 68 against, 61 abstentions) a major milestone on the EU’s biofuels journey has been reached. It’s been a rocky road, and lawmakers have finally agreed a text in the Renewables Directive that gives...
by Géraldine Kutas | Sep 26, 2018 | air quality, ethanol, sugarcane
In the week of 4 to 8 of September I was invited to the Kingsman Annual Sugar Conference in New Delhi (India) to speak about how sugarcane ethanol can contribute to decarbonizing transport and improving air quality. During that week I also had the opportunity to visit...
by Géraldine Kutas | May 16, 2018 | Sem categoria
On 17 May representatives of the European Parliament, member states and the European Commission will meet to negotiate the provisions on biofuels in the Renewables Directive (RED II). This might be the last chance to find a compromise that ensures the future of a...
by Géraldine Kutas | May 3, 2018 | Sem categoria
The EU has the opportunity to close two major trade deals in 2018: with Mexico, on which it just reached political agreement; and with the Mercosur trading block, where an agreement lies tantalizingly within reach. The EU’s recent success in closing major trade...
by Géraldine Kutas | Jan 9, 2018 | Sem categoria
The European Parliament will soon vote on the recast of the renewables directive (RED II), one of the key elements of the clean energy package. RED II is critical in ensuring that we harness the potential of renewable energy effectively, and in decarbonising the...
by Géraldine Kutas | Dec 20, 2017 | Sem categoria
As we come to the close of a busy year, it’s worthwhile to take time to pause and reflect on everything that we’ve achieved this year. For UNICA it has indeed been an interesting and eventful year, full of activity on two key dossiers that are of critical importance...
by Géraldine Kutas | Nov 24, 2017 | Sem categoria
Next Tuesday the EU Parliament’s ITRE committee (Industry, Research and Energy) will vote on the Commission’s RED II proposal. This directive will provide the framework for renewables support in the EU and will be a critical element to ensure that the EU can fulfil...
by Géraldine Kutas | Nov 7, 2017 | Sem categoria
The EU-Mercosur trade deal is close to the finishing line and the final breakthrough might still come by the end of the year. This trade agreement between the EU and the four Mercosur Members – Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay – would be the largest...
by Géraldine Kutas | Oct 2, 2017 | Sem categoria
There is hardly a single sector in the EU that is as protected as much as sugar. For decades the EU sugar beet industry benefited, together with other measures, of minimum prices and extremely high import tariffs. At a current international price for raw sugar of €255...
by Géraldine Kutas | Sep 5, 2017 | Sem categoria
EU trade policy is on a roll. After the conclusions of a deal with Japan, the largest bilateral Free Trade Agreement yet, the EU has set its eyes on a deal with Mercosur. Such a deal offers huge potential for EU industry: it would greatly improve access to emerging...
by Géraldine Kutas | Feb 2, 2017 | Sem categoria
2016 was the warmest year on record since the industrial revolution. At Politico’s recent debate on decarbonizing Europe’s transport, that was held in Brussels, DuPont’s Jan Koninckx recognised that the most immediate way to decarbonise transport is through cleaner...
by Géraldine Kutas | Dec 22, 2016 | Sem categoria
Dear readers, This is our last post of the year. 2016 will definitely go down in history as an eventful year, both on the political and policy levels. I hope you will all get to disconnect from work, rest, and enjoy the Winter Holidays with families and friends. The...
