Chemical Industry Contribution to Carbon Emissions

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The chemical industry is one of the largest in the world. It uses more than 10% of the world's fossil fuel production.

Pesticides for agriculture, acids for mining, lubricants for machinery, ingredients in cleaning agents, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and plastics are all products that rely on the chemical industry to be made. 

On the one hand, this business plays a significant role in lowering total carbon emissions by supplying coatings for solar panels, lightweight polymers to reduce vehicle energy usage, and building insulating materials. But on the other hand, this industry contributes significantly to carbon emissions.

Chemicals have shown to be profitable for oil companies as the world commits to transitioning away from fossil fuel energy. According to the International Energy Agency, petrochemicals might account for 60% of global oil consumption over the next decade.

The chemicals industry is the largest industrial consumer of oil and gas; yet, it has the third-highest carbon emissions since only approximately half of the fossil fuels consumed by the industry are burnt for energy.

The other half is utilized as feedstock for items such as plastics, with emissions produced only when these products reach the end of their useful life, such as when discarded plastic packaging or an old mattress is burnt.

What to do? Move away from dirty energy

Several procedures can be taken to reduce carbon emissions. 

First, the chemical Industry heavily relies on burning fossil fuels to power the chemical transformation, many of which occur at high temperatures and pressures that cause carbon emissions. So as an alternative to coal, the chemical industry may shift to using renewable energy methods such as solar and wind power. 

Second, producing more bioplastic-made items, using materials that are made up of plants, a source of carbon that is already found above the ground such as sugar, corn, or seaweed, could make a great contribution to reducing carbon emissions. That is because these non-bioplastic-made materials are basically made by extracting fossil fuels from raw materials to make the carbon needed for their manufacturing which creates high carbon emissions rates.

Third, turning waste products into raw materials for the chemical industry, instead of undergoing the process of extracting fossil fuel to make carbon and make new products. The industry could simply recycle waste products into raw materials to remake new stuff and items.

Fourth, simply produce and use fewer chemicals. For example, cut the use of fertilizers for agriculture, and cut the use of plastic made materials.