Global climate agreement vital to ensuring chemical industry continues to deliver significant 3:1 carbon savings

July 9, 2009

The International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA), the peak international body representing the global chemicals and plastics industry, has announced the findings of an independent Carbon Life Cycle Analysis of the global chemical industry.

The overriding conclusion of the study is that the best options to reduce global greenhouse gas reductions will involve a full life cycle approach to ensure each stage of the value chain provide their optimum contributions. The only way to achieve this was through a comprehensive global agreement, further highlighting the importance of the meeting in Copenhagen in December.

The study found that for every unit of greenhouse gases (GHG) 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. The study also found that by 2030, the ratio of GHG emission savings to emissions could increase to more than 4:1 provided certain actions by industry, stakeholders and policymakers.

The most significant emissions savings by volume were found to be from building insulation materials (such as expanded polystyrene, extruded polystyrene or polyurethane), agrochemicals, lighting, plastic packaging, marine antifouling coatings, synthetic textiles, automotive plastics, low-temperature detergents, engine efficiency, and plastics used in piping.

“Along with our international colleagues, the Australian chemicals and plastics industry is committed to helping reduce greenhouse gas emissions via an innovative and sustainable solutions based approach”, said PACIA Chief Executive, Margaret Donnan.

“The groundbreaking study highlights the strategic importance of the chemicals and plastics industry in delivering environmental solutions and enabling real reductions in carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions along the value chain and through lifecycle thinking”.

In Australia, the chemicals and plastics industry has been working closely with federal and state governments and other stakeholders to provide sustainability leadership and adopt sustainability as a core strategy. This has been supported by PACIA’s flagship Sustainability Leadership Framework and a proactive Industry Life Cycle and Design for Sustainability program.

Background:

The Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association (PACIA) is the pre-eminent national body representing Australia's fourth largest manufacturing sector. The sector has a combined annual turnover of $32.5 billion and directly employs more than 85,000 Australians.

McKinsey & Company, the respected global management consulting firm, conducted the independent analyses and overall project management for the study, which examined the global chemical industry’s impact on greenhouse gas emissions through the life cycle of chemical products and the difference they make in the applications they enable. The Öko Institut, a leading independent environmental research and consulting institution in Europe, conducted a critical review of the analysis and reviewed the calculations.

Media enquires:

John Osborn, Manager Strategic Communications, (03) 9426 3809

Resources: