The Plastics and Chemicals Industries Association has released a statement on Thursday underlining the role of the plastics and chemicals industry in providing solutions that will help mitigate the impacts of climate change.
PACIA Chief Executive Margaret Donnan says the importance of the industry cannot be overstated.
“The Australian chemicals and plastics industry is crucial in development of more energy efficient, ‘greener’ products and technologies, such as new energy saving insulation materials, more energy efficient lighting solutions, light weighted packaging, low-temperature detergents and renewable energy technology such as solar panels,” Ms. Donnan said.
“In fact, as demonstrated in McKinsey’s 2009 independent carbon life cycle analysis of the global chemical industry, the sector is a net greenhouse gas saver via the products and technologies it makes. The study found that for every unit of greenhouse gases emitted directly and indirectly by the chemical industry, the industry enabled 2-3 units of emission savings via the products and technologies provided to other industries and consumers.”
Ms. Donnan called attention to the fact that the Australian chemicals and plastics sector provides inputs into 109 of 111 industries in the Australian economy, therefore energy and greenhouse gas savings brought about by innovations coming from the sector have a direct effect on most industries in Australia.
“Ensuring a thriving chemicals and plastics industry in Australia will help the Australian economy directly contribute to reducing global greenhouse emissions,” said Ms. Donnan.
PACIA’s reminder of the importance of the chemicals and plastics industry comes in the midst of an event that brought together a panel of experts from the chemical industry, the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), during the 19th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP-19) in Warsaw.
The event which was hosted by the International Council of Chemical Associations (ICCA) aimed to offer new perspectives on innovative solutions to energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions reduction.
In Australia, PACIA continues to lead in driving sustainable outcomes through the PACIA Sustainability Leadership Framework, and the PACIA Strategic Industry Roadmap which maps key actions needed for a sustainable future for the industry.
