Public Engagement Report Q1 2025

Biofuels, hydrogen, and sustainable aviation fuel have been mooted as potential low-carbon alternatives to fossil fuels. However, although they increasingly feature in company transition plans and government policies as an attractive opportunity, there may be unintended consequences. For example, land use change for the growth of biofuel crops can lead to biodiversity loss, increased greenhouse gas emissions, and the erosion of food security.

In EOS’s Q1 2025 Public Engagement Report, EOS engagers Michael Yamoah and Will Farrell examine some of the leading low-carbon fuels, highlighting the technological constraints, as well as the advantages. “Green hydrogen may play a role in connecting locations with abundant renewables to centres of high energy demand,” they say. “This could improve the efficiency and reliability of a net-zero energy system.”

The low-carbon transition will in part be made possible by a shift from fossil fuel dependency to clean energy technologies such as electric vehicle (EV) batteries and wind turbines. But as the demand for EVs and other clean technologies accelerates, the race to secure supplies of lithium, nickel, cobalt and other critical minerals is intensifying.

Many demand-side companies are already taking unprecedented steps to secure critical minerals for their products. This is changing the traditional supply chain for minerals sourcing, with some auto manufacturers becoming directly involved in the mining of minerals. Tech companies have also started to think about the impact of critical mineral availability. This is creating new opportunities for companies, but also brings new risks. In their article, Dana Barnes and Elissa El Moufti explore the need to enhance transparency to promote responsible practices in this fast-moving space.

Finally, while India attracts investors because of its strong growth opportunities and market breadth, there are potential pitfalls for the unwary. These range from governance challenges such as board independence, to physical climate risks and cybersecurity issues.

EOS has been engaging with Indian companies, policymakers and standard-setters for over a decade, and in recent years we have seen improvements in certain governance areas. Sonya Likhtman, Navishka Pandit and Ross Teverson explain how we seek to address the key stewardship challenges.

To find out more, read the EOS Q1 Public Engagement Report.