A new report from the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) has concluded that total global CO2 emissions could be reduced by one quarter by implementing just 17 chemistry-based solutions.
ICAA
While the report, “Enabling the Future: Chemistry Innovations for a Low Carbon Society”, suggested over 100 solutions and products developed by the chemical industry which would accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy, it focused on 17 with the largest potential for CO2 reduction.
Combined, the 17 solutions could reduce global emissions by between 5 to 10 Gigatonnes by 2050. The solutions cover five key areas in which the greenhouse gas saving potential of chemistry-based solutions is greatest:
- power generation and storage, (for example, through advanced solar cell technology)
- industry and production, (for instance converting automotive plastic waste into recycled oil for plastics and deriving fuels from biological materials such as sugarcane or biomass)
- mobility and transportation, (electric batteries are one example)
- nutrition and agriculture, (through improved animal feed)
- and building and housing (by improving insulation and solar power generating devices).
“When it comes to climate protection, one thing has become abundantly clear: The world is in need of a far-reaching transformation that pervades all aspects of society. The global chemical industry can play a significant role and be a true enabler. Its technical and innovative potential, both in its own field and through collaborations with other industries, is enormous in facilitating the transition toward a low-carbon society,” said Nobuyuki Kawashima, Chairman ICCA Energy and Climate Change Leadership Group.
The full report can be viewed here.
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