Climate Crisis: HVO is a climate ‘quick fix’ that could be worse than fossil fuels

At a Time of Climate Crisis: There are serious questions over the sustainability of hydrotreated vegetable oil and the industries that are promoting its use

In this month’s column for the Irish Times MaREI researcher Dr Hannah Daly, University College Cork, discusses the sustainability of hydrotreated vegetable oil and the industries that are promoting its use. 

“For every complex problem, there is an answer that is clear, simple and wrong.” This aphorism frequently comes to mind when I reflect on climate solutions.

Problems don’t come more complex or urgent than climate change, and sadly there is no shortage of solutions that seem appealing and straightforward, but are, at best, distractions. In the worst cases, some of these solutions can be more harmful than doing nothing at all.

Hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) is one such solution. HVO is being aggressively promoted as a convenient, low-carbon “drop-in” substitute for diesel, heating oil and jet kerosene, requiring no modifications to engines or boilers. Its apparent simplicity makes it an attractive quick fix.

Read the full article here.