Chemistry-based solutions could cut global CO2 emissions by one quarter by 2050, new report shows
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We could reduce our CO2 emissions by one quarter by implementing only 17 solutions offered by the chemical industry. This is one of the conclusions of the most recent ICCA report “Enabling the Future: Chemistry Innovations for a Low Carbon Society”.
While there are over 100 solutions and products developed by the industry to accelerate transition to a low-carbon economy, the study zooms in on 17 of them which have the largest CO2-saving potential. Combined, these solutions could lead to emissions reductions of about 5-10 Gigatons by 2050.
These solutions lie in the following areas:
- 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” says Nobuyuki Kawashima, Chairman ICCA Energy and Climate Change Leadership Group.