Chemical Sector Claims Positive Role in Climate Change

EurActiv (7/8) – The first-ever lifecycle analysis of the chemical industry's global emissions highlights the importance of the sector as a means of helping to reduce CO2 emissions through energy-efficiency and renewable energy applications, including insulation and coating for lightweight packaging. "For every unit of greenhouse gases emitted directly and indirectly by the chemical industry, the industry enabled 2-3 units of emission savings via the products and technologies provided to other industries and consumers," states the first-ever report on the Carbon Life Cycle Analysis (cLCA) of the chemical industry, based on 2005 figures.

The report shows that while chemical production in the EU rose by 60% between 1990 and 2005, total energy consumption remained stable. This means that the industry has cut its energy intensity by 3.6% annually and absolute CO2 emissions have fallen by almost 30%, the report notes. Growth in production will mainly come from the developing world…The report further highlights the need for technology cooperation between companies in the developed and developing worlds to "create positive business opportunities for both technology owners and receivers".