Burning carbon fuels produces large amounts of greenhouse gases, which cause climate change and have harmful impacts on people’s well-being and the environment. ICCA is committed to ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Nearly all renewable energy sources and technologies – wind, solar, natural gas, new battery technologies and more – depend on innovations in chemistry to become more efficient, affordable and scalable. Chemical innovations also enable breakthrough technologies in energy generation, storage, recovery and alternative fuels, providing end-user products that contribute to a low-carbon society. Chemistry enables the capture and use of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide as raw materials for innovative new chemistries used in high performance products like coatings, adhesives and foams. Chemical-based products and technologies support the fight against climate change in applications such as renewable energy sources, electric and high-efficiency vehicles and building materials that reduce energy consumption. Advanced insulation foams in buildings can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.4 billion tons per year. Efficient insulation also can reduce energy costs by as much as 60 percent. Energy-efficient automotive technology made possible through products and technologies like lightweight plastic parts, tires that create less emissions and gasoline and diesel additives that reduce fuel consumption, helps save 230 million tons of GHG emissions. The chemistry of detergent enzymes, one of the largest and most successful applications of modern industrial biotechnology, has reduced the amount of electricity needed to do a load of laundry by 30 percent while also reducing water consumption.