As 2025 kicks off, Energy Evolution and Platts Future Energy are joining forces to bring you the best in energy transition news, analysis, trends, interviews, and our expert insights. Starting January 21, the Platts Future Energy channel will host our merged energy transition podcast, Energy Evolution by Commodity Insights, so make sure you stay subscribed here to follow along with hosts Taylor Kuykendall and Eklavya Gupte. 

In the latest All Things Aviation episode on the Platts Future Energy Podcast, Sarah Abu Bakar speaks with feedstock analysts Rob Hatchett and Wes Petkau along with biofuel research associate director Ji Yang Lum. The discussion highlights the implications of global biofuel policy uncertainty and the potential impacts that trade tariffs pose on feedstock flows, further complicating an already uncertain and fragmented market. The group takes a regional approach to briefly outline the current layout of key factors influencing SAF policy support. Links: Tallow Dlvd Chicago cts/lb ATALA00 UCO Dlvd Houston cts/lb UDSAG00 UCO Dlvd San Francisco cts/lb UDSAF00

Roman Kramarchuk leads S&P Global's climate market division, while Jonty Rushforth heads their Environmental Solutions Group, and Ivy Yin specializes in energy transition. They discuss outcomes from COP29, highlighting the first consensus on international carbon trading in nearly a decade. The guests delve into the new climate finance targets set for developed countries and the skepticism from developing nations. They explore the complexities of carbon markets and the controversial Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, emphasizing the ongoing challenges for effective climate funding.

In this episode of the Platts Future Energy Podcast, Gary Clark hosts downstream oil news managing editor Robert Perkins and head of aviation research James Simpson as they unpack the evolving landscape of jet fuel markets amid significant geopolitical and economic shifts. From the pandemic's lingering effects on demand to the impact of the Russian-Ukraine conflict and Middle Eastern tensions, supply chains for jet fuel are under scrutiny. Talking points range from the rise of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and its potential to reshape the future of aviation, to the challenges posed by refinery closures and the need for strategic policy support. Join us for insights into the intricate balance of supply and demand in the aviation sector and what lies ahead for jet fuel markets. Related: Sustainable Aviation Fuel CIF NWE $/mt  Biofuels news

With the world’s renewable energy capacity reaching record levels, attention has shifted to the risks involved in sourcing critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and graphite, essential for sustaining these industries. China’s dominance over global critical minerals supply chains has led the US, EU, and other major consumers to diversify their foreign sources while also developing domestic resources and strengthening recycling capacity. In this podcast, S&P Global Commodity Insights’ Euan Sadden, senior editor for EMEA, is joined by Leah Chen, team lead for battery metals, and Nick Trickett, senior analyst for metals and mining. They examine this dynamic and consider whether China should be recognized as a partner or a competitor by Western economies in the realm of critical minerals and the renewable energy transition. Price assessments (subscriber content): BATCA04 Lithium Carbonate DDP China BATCN00 Recycled Lithium Carbonate DDP China  BATLS00 Lithium Spodumene 5.5% Li2O CIF China  BATSP03 Lithium Spodumene 6% FOB Australia  BATSS00 Lithium Spodumene 0.1% differential    LCCIF00 Lithium Carbonate CIF Europe  BATLA00 Lithium Triangle (LiT) FOB   ANINO00 Low-Grade Nickel Ore  ANIOC00 High-grade Nickel Ore

Ina Chirita, the Europe lead on biofuels research at S&P Global Commodity Insights, and Jamie Dorner, the US biofuels Senior Principal Research Analyst, dive deep into the evolving landscape of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). They discuss how different policies in Europe and the US impact production, highlighting Europe’s strict mandates versus America's incentive-based approach. The challenges of feedstock availability and fluctuating market conditions are explored, along with predictions for future SAF production capacities and their implications for the global market.

Marie-Louise Du Bois leads the global carbon pricing team, joined by Dana Agrotti, a low carbon market analyst, Agamoni Ghosh, editor of global compliance carbon pricing, and Eklavya Gupte, editorial lead for carbon news. They discuss CORSIA's impact on aviation emissions and the challenges of carbon credit availability. The conversation dives into the phased implementation of the CORSIA initiative and its significance in the battle against climate change. Issues like market dynamics, supply constraints, and the implications for airlines are also explored, offering insights into the future of sustainable aviation.

Join Paul McConnell, Head of Outlooks at S&P Global, and James Simpson, Head of Aviation Research, as they navigate the post-pandemic aviation landscape. They discuss the industry's crucial role in emissions reduction amid growing demand. Key insights include the impact of economic recovery on travel trends, the implications of emissions regulations in the EU, and the urgent need for alternative fuels. Discover how the aviation sector can align with global climate goals while facing challenges in fuel supply and environmental policies.

Global installed capacity of solar photovoltaics has grown at an extraordinary pace in recent years as countries strive to meet approaching decarbonisation targets, meaning that the technology is having an ever-increasing part in electricity mixes worldwide.  In this episode of the Platts Future Energy Podcast, solar market reporter Lena Dias Martins is joined by associate director for solar research Josefin Berg to discuss the growth of solar globally, installation forecasts and how this technology is impacting decarbonising electricity systems. 

A first wave of subsidy auctions for green hydrogen production in Europe has revealed early price signals and could kick-start the market after a long period of policy and investment delays. The recent European Hydrogen Bank auction results were much lower than expected, but will renewable hydrogen be much cheaper than previously thought, or will consumers have to pay a large premium to secure offtake? Senior energy transition reporter James Burgess discusses these topics and more with senior hydrogen analyst Matthew Hodgkinson, hydrogen analyst Anastasia Pantazopoulou, and pricing specialist Vipul Garg. Links:Green premium remains for renewable hydrogen after EU's 1.5-GW auction result Platts launches new European Renewable PPA Derived Hydrogen prices Interactive: Platts Ammonia price chart Special report: Atlas of Energy Transition™ Our subscriber platform Platts Connect (formerly Platts Dimensions Pro)