Our projects
Building towards a sustainable chemicals sector
Chemicals are everywhere. From the plastics in our phones to the fertilisers used to grow our food. But this comes at a cost. The chemicals sector is one of the largest industrial consumers of oil and gas, accounting for around six per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Without action, chemicals could account for nearly half of global oil and gas demand by 2050.
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Pollution from chemicals has been recorded almost everywhere on Earth. Plastic waste has been discovered on our highest mountain peaks and our lowest ocean trenches, while chemical traces have been found everywhere from our water supplies to our blood. The complexity of chemical supply chains makes tackling pollution and decarbonising the sector a challenge. Often called the “mother of all industries”, the chemical sector requires bold, coordinated action across policy, industry and civil society to phase out fossil fuels while ensuring a prosperous future for people and the planet.
Why is it important?
6%
The chemicals industry accounts for around six per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions
96%
Around 96 per cent of all the products made globally contain some form of chemical
80%
Key petrochemicals account for 80 per cent of the sector’s total emissions
50%
Without action, chemicals could account for nearly half of global oil and gas demand by 2050
The Challenges
- Chemicals are deeply embedded across global supply chains. They are the basis for everything, from plastics to pharmaceuticals to fertilisers. This makes addressing their climate impact challenging but creates opportunities for transformative change across the economy.
- There are multiple ways to decarbonise the chemicals sector. In many cases this involves reducing demand or increasing circularity in supply chains. However, some chemicals are essential to society and can not be restricted. In such cases, de-fossilised and detoxified solutions must be pursued.
- Chemicals are globally traded commodities. While production has shifted from regions like Europe to Asia, policy action in major markets can drive change across global supply chains.
Our work in Europe and India
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