The AOP asks to include ecofuels in the Climate Change Law

The Association of Petroleum Products Operators (AOP) has called for the inclusion of ecofuels in the Climate Change and Energy Transition Law to allow the decarbonization of the Spanish refining industry.

AOP recalled that the sector has an action plan (the Strategy for the Evolution towards Ecofuels) to transform the refining industry and reduce emissions from processes by 90% and products by 80%.

This strategy is based on producing low-carbon liquid fuels (ecofuels), incorporating technologies such as the production of green hydrogen and the capture, storage and use of _CO2.

However, the association says that the current wording of the bill prevents the implementation of that plan and the participation of the refining sector in the fight against climate change.

In this sense, he explains that article 11 of the bill contemplates biofuels only in air transport, while AOP proposes to promote biofuels in all modes of transport (cars, maritime and heavy transport) and, in addition, to include not only biofuels, but all ecofuels, such as synthetics (obtained from CO).₂ captured) and those from non-organic waste (plastics, among others).

In addition, AOP points out that Article 12 of the bill only takes into account direct emissions in mobility, instead of a calculation that includes those generated in the production of energy and its use.

The association proposes as an alternative not to limit the reduction of emissions in mobility only to the tailpipe of vehicles.

The president of the AOP and BP Spain, Luis Aires, has warned that if more obstacles are put in the way of competitiveness, the current industrial crisis will increase.

Aires has said that if, on the contrary, those two articles of the bill are modified, the investment of billions of euros will be allowed to adapt the refining industry, facilitate the energy transition, reduce emissions and create jobs.

Luis Aires said that “it would be a tremendous mistake to renounce at this time the industrial potential of the sector and reject our commitment to decarbonization.”

Source: The Vanguard