Net Zero

The journey for our sector is not a new one. It has already seen us reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by over 80% since 1990. But the transition does not stop here. Taking 2018 as our base year, a huge collective effort will be required to halve our remaining CO2听emissions by 2034 and to further reduce them by 90% by 2050. This will require us building on our energy efficiency progress, enabling circularity, but above all, access to hydrogen, carbon capture and storage and clean electricity.

The past three decades have seen the UK chemical industry reduce its greenhouse gas footprint by over 80%, predominantly through fuel-switching, emissions abatement and energy efficiency , but also through loss of production. Now the task for the next three decades is transforming how we produce, all whilst remaining globally competitive.听

Whether it鈥檚 through advanced batteries and hydrogen fuel cells to enable more sustainable mobility, insultation materials to improve the energy efficiency of our buildings or the technological solutions to facilitate the recycling of materials, the CIA will continue to work with the chemical sector and government to do all it can in leading the world鈥檚 response to the huge challenges presented by climate change.听

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Our Route to Net Zero film series

CIA听partnered with ITN Productions Industry News to produce a news-style programme听exploring how the chemical industry is at the forefront of the new revolution to make products sustainable, vital in helping the UK achieve its net zero target by 2050.

Watch the series >

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A Diverse Sector听

Our sector is diverse, with businesseses at different stages of their own journeys and our response to climate mitigation continues to evolve. A adaptation of chemical business sites and their operations to minimise the risks from projected climate-related severe weather impacts can also make a significant contribution to meeting net zero targets and requires action now to protect businesses.听

Innovation

Seven major pharmaceutical companies will follow a new joint industry roadmap to net-zero.
Project Speedbird aims to develop SAFs in the UK for commercial use, with construction of a plant in the North East.
Dow is exploring how bio-based plastics can be used in a way that doesn鈥檛 compete with other sector鈥檚 needs for bio-based feedstocks.
Energy prices forced CF Fertilisers to halt ammonia production at Billingham, now the UK鈥檚 food and drink sector is struggling to find CO2.
Associate member, RWE Hydrogen, is looking at CCUS and hydrogen retrofit at Pembroke gas power plant.
Johnson Matthey (JM) has signed an LCH鈩� technology license with Equinor and Linde Engineering for the H2H Saltend hydrogen plant.
A new decarbonisation cluster on England鈥檚 south coast, which could store up to 3MtCO2 per year.
Grangemouth announced a co-funded feasibility study with the Scottish Industrial Energy Transformation Fund.

Industry Commitments

Striving towards sustainability leadership in everything we do.

Reducing our carbon footprint and increasing sustainable innovation.

Accelerating our sustainability commitments

Be part of it听

Members are invited to get involved with various听net zero networks and issue teams, which include the Energy and Climate Change Policy and Net Zero Council sub group

For further information, or to express an interest in joining, please contact Nishma Patel at [email protected]听or听Rich Woolley at听[email protected].听

Find out more

Delivering Solutions

Supply chain challenges are not only holding back growth, but threaten to slow down progress against the UK鈥檚 net zero commitments and levelling up ambitions.

Reducing CO₂

Member companies of the CIA have stated its collective ambition to halve direct emissions by 2034 and further reduce them by 90% by 2050.

Efficient technology

Helping to reduce our resilience on fossil fuel for power and heating through the development of efficient technology for green and blue hydrogen and associated carbon capture, storage and utilisation.

Sustainable

The chemical industry is committed to delivering more sustainable solutions for a cleaner, greener society.

Low carbon

We have an important role to play in moving to low carbon economies 鈥� providing coatings for solar panels, lightweight plastics to reduce vehicles鈥� energy consumption and insulating materials for buildings.

Innovation

It is through our industry鈥檚 innovation and technology that will allow other companies and sectors to decarbonise, deliver the UK鈥檚 net zero ambitions and ultimately, combat climate change.

EV Batteries

Helping the UK become a global leader in technology and supply of EV batteries.

Reports听

Navigating Net Zero

The journey to net zero began over three decades ago for the chemicals sector, seeing a reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions by over 80% since 1990.

Accelerating Britain鈥檚 Net Zero Economy the chemical industry
Close cooperation between Government and business, data driven policy measures and a just transition are key to improving the UK鈥檚 business environment for sectors who operate in global markets.
Shale Gas: The Facts
As a major energy user, the UK chemical industry supports the development of unconventional gas (including shale gas) while protecting the environment and ensuring that the public are both safeguarded and receive associated benefits.
Safeguarding chemical businesses in a changing climate
How to prepare a Climate Change Adaptation Plan
Report: Delivering a low carbon future
UK and EU strategies to reduce GHG emissions need to recognise the role we play if the chemical industry鈥檚 contribution to the low carbon economy is to be maintained and enhanced.

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Tackling climate change through chemistry听

The chemical industry is at the forefront of the net zero revolution. Find out about our formula for success and learn from our member case studies showing how companies are achieveing net zero and improving everyday lives.听

Find out more >

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