The global petrochemical industry’s greenhouse gas emissions are projected to rise by approximately 50% by 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario, according to a study published in Nature Sustainability. This increase would bring emissions from an estimated 2.0 ± 0.8 GtCO2e in 2023 to 3.0 ± 1.2 GtCO2e by 2050.
The research, which assessed nearly 37,400 production facilities, found that emissions are highly concentrated, with just 10% of facilities accounting for 53% of emissions. This concentration offers an opportunity to prioritize the highest emitting facilities for decarbonization efforts.
Ethylene and ammonia were identified as the largest emitting primary chemicals in 2023. The study also highlights that supply-side measures alone are insufficient to address the sector’s emissions, emphasizing the need for demand reduction alongside cleaner production methods. The analysis covers cradle-to-gate emissions and does not include emissions from product use or end-of-life stages.
Source: Down To Earth