WASHINGTON (October 20, 2022) — Demonstrating meaningful progress in the fight against climate change, American Chemistry Council (ACC) members reduced their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity by more than 12 percent since 2017. Members have also reduced SOx emissions by 18% and NOx emissions by 39% since 2017.
Through Responsible Care®, ACC members track and report their performance against specific environmental, health, safety and security (EHS&S) metrics, including GHG emissions intensity, energy use and emissions of SOx/NOx and Hazardous Air Pollutants (HAPs). ACC makes information on member companies’ progress publicly available.
“Chemistry is a crucial element in enabling the transition to renewable energy and combating climate change,” said ACC President and CEO Chris Jahn. “Our industry provides products and jobs that are vital to modern life and a sustainable future. At the same time, our members are committed to reducing the environmental impact of their operations, as demonstrated by this significant progress.”
While the chemical industry is energy intensive, ACC members are taking action to reduce the industrial GHG intensity of their supply chains, operations and products and are deploying commercially available solutions to reduce emissions.
“We know there is more to do,” Jahn said. “Reducing emissions will require accelerated technology investment, development and deployment by the private and public sectors and other stakeholders.”
Priority actions to enable lower emissions include:
- Growing and deploying lower-emissions technologies, including clean hydrogen, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS); use of biomaterials and circular feedstocks; and, process electrification.
- Investing to drive lower-emissions technologies and solutions to commercial scale.
- Collaborating across industries to support infrastructure development, share ideas and work together on common goals.
ACC recently issued a set of policy recommendations to enable reductions in GHG emissions built around three imperatives – developing and deploying clean manufacturing technologies, pricing carbon, and promoting adoption of emissions-reducing solutions.
“ACC and our members welcome the opportunity to partner with governments and the activist community on our journey to becoming even better corporate stewards,” Jahn added.