ICCA Shares Recommendations to Accelerate the Transition to Climate Neutrality at the UN Climate Change Conference
This month ICCA representatives joined global leaders, policymakers, and stakeholders at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) to contribute to discussions on pathways to climate neutrality.
ICCA member representatives participated in a series of panel discussions focused on technology, policy, and partnerships to support the decarbonisation of the chemical sector. Through these engagements, ICCA shared insights from its Pathways for the Global Chemical Industry to Climate Neutrality study and exchanged on practical solutions on the global climate agenda.
The chemical industry plays a critical role in enabling the transition to a climate-neutral economy. With the right enabling conditions and effective collaboration across value chains, the sector can scale technologies and solutions that both reduce emissions and support sustainable growth and resilience worldwide.
What are the enabling conditions needed for continued progress towards climate neutrality?
ICCA identifies essential enabling conditions to achieve climate neutrality, based on the findings of its study “Pathways for the Global Chemical Industry to Climate Neutrality,” which confirms that multiple pathways can lead the chemical industry to climate neutrality by mid-century:
- Recycling and plastic waste management: As only 9% of global plastic waste is currently recycled, increased recycling rates and improved waste management infrastructure are crucial.
- Sustainably sourced biomass: To avoid adverse environmental impacts, sourcing biomass sustainably is essential as the sector seeks carbon-neutral feedstock.
- Low-emission hydrogen: Hydrogen is a cornerstone of chemical production processes, and the transition to low-emission hydrogen sources like green and blue hydrogen is vital.
- Carbon storage and low-emission fossil feedstock: Despite efforts to embrace bio-based and circular options, fossil feedstock and CCS will remain necessary for the foreseeable future.
- Affordable low-emission energy: Access to reliable and affordable low-emission energy is fundamental to meeting production needs, especially for processes requiring high temperatures.
ICCA reaffirms its commitment to supporting the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and fostering collaboration to reduce emissions across the supply chain. The Pathways for Climate Neutrality report underscores that while the road ahead is complex, with a technology-neutral approach, adaptable strategies, and support for critical enablers, provide promising pathways towards a climate-neutral, competitive and resilient future.