EU Eases Emissions Rules for Carmakers, Delaying Fines

Today’s ESG Updates

• EU Delays CO₂ Emissions Targets for Carmakers: The European Parliament made this decision to give carmakers more time to comply with regulations.
• UK National Wealth Fund Invests £600m in Power Grid Overhaul: This investment has been made to help the UK achieve its Clean Power 2030 goals.
• Marubeni and ExxonMobil Partner on Low-Carbon Ammonia: The partnership will support Japan’s decarbonization efforts.
• U.S. Judge to Decide on Land Transfer for Copper Mine: A decision will be made by May 14 whether to block a controversial land transfer in Arizona.

EU eases CO₂ targets for carmakers, delaying fines amid industry pressure

The European Parliament approved a delay in enforcing EU CO₂ emissions targets for carmakers, allowing them to average emissions over 2025–2027 instead of just 2025. This move, supported by 458 votes to 101, aims to ease pressure on European automakers who risked up to €15 billion in fines. The decision follows lobbying from the industry, which is trailing behind Chinese and U.S. rivals in electric vehicle sales. While EU leaders say the change offers needed relief, critics argue carmakers had ample time to prepare and that the fine estimates are exaggerated.

***

Further reading: EU clears final hurdle for softer car CO2 emission targets

UK invests £600m in grid upgrades to power clean energy future

The UK’s National Wealth Fund is investing £600 million in ScottishPower, part of a wider £1.35 billion funding package, to upgrade key parts of the British power grid. The investment will support seven urgent transmission projects, including the crucial Eastern Green Link, helping to reduce grid congestion, cut electricity costs, and accelerate the shift to clean energy. The upgrades will boost grid capacity and resilience, create jobs, and support the UK’s Clean Power 2030 goals. This move aligns with the government’s broader strategy to position the UK as a clean energy superpower and attract further private investment into green infrastructure.

Photo Credit: Wikicommons

***
Further reading: ScottishPower Locks In £1.35bn to Supercharge UK Grid Upgrade Projects

ExxonMobil and Marubeni partner to supply low-carbon ammonia for Japan’s clean energy transition

Marubeni Corporation and ExxonMobil have signed a long-term deal for 250,000 tonnes of low-carbon ammonia annually from ExxonMobil’s planned Baytown, Texas facility, which will produce near-zero carbon hydrogen and ammonia. Marubeni will supply this to Kobe Power Plant in Japan and has taken an equity stake in the project. The facility, expected to be the world’s largest of its kind, aims to start after a 2025 investment decision. The partnership supports Japan’s decarbonization goals, with plans to reduce emissions across power and industrial sectors by co-firing ammonia and building a global low-carbon ammonia supply chain.

Photo Credit: Yuwei Shaw

***

Further Reading: Marubeni and ExxonMobil’s low-carbon ammonia deal marks major step in unleashing new energy supply

Judge to rule on Apache land transfer as copper mine dispute heads toward Supreme Court

A U.S. federal judge will decide by May 14 whether to temporarily block the transfer of sacred Apache land in Arizona to Rio Tinto and BHP for a proposed copper mine. The land, Oak Flat Campground, is central to Apache religious practices but sits atop a massive copper reserve crucial for clean energy technology. The long-running legal battle weighs Native American religious rights against mineral demand and geopolitics. The Supreme Court is still deliberating whether to hear the case, while the Trump administration has resumed efforts to finalize the land transfer by June 16. Apache groups seek a delay pending the Court’s decision. Keep up to date on the latest legislation and regulations with ESG tools.

Photo Credit: Jandira Sonnendeck

***

Further reading: US judge to rule by May 14 on Rio Tinto copper project opposed by Native Americans

Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — Cover Photo Credit:  Guillaume Périgois