Page 173 - CW E-Magazine (4-6-2024)

CHAPTER TWO
Reasons to replace fossil carbon
in chemical products
Considering Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, the
2.1 Current chemical sector emissions
chemical sector is responsible for approximately
The main driver to replace fossil feedstocks
with alternative carbon sources is the scale
6% of global CO 2 -equivalent emissions. The
sources of Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions in the
of the chemical sector’s emissions.
chemical sector are shown in Figure 5.
FIGURE 5
Sources of chemical sector Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
Scope 1 emissions
Indirect emissions associated with
Upstream indirect emissions
Direct emissions associated with the Scope 2 emissions Scope 3 emissions
processes involved in making the associated with purchased electricity upstream and downstream processes.
carbon-based chemical. This includes for chemical conversion processes. Upstream processes include the
emissions related to the combustion extraction and production of feedstocks.
Special Report
of fossil fuels to produce energy Downstream processes include product
as well as direct process emissions. use and end-of-life disposal, such as
degradation and incineration.
Associated
SCOPE 2
emissions
ENERGY (POWER) Landfill (degradation) SCOPE 3
FEEDS
SCOPE 3 Chemical plant(s) Products Re-use / recycle
FUELS
Embedded emissions
from production and Incineration
transport SCOPE 1 SCOPE 1 SCOPE 3

Direct process Combustion
emissions emissions
(eg NH 3 , H 2 , (eg NH 3 , H 2 , MeOH,
ethylene oxide) steam cracking)
Fig. 5: Sources of chemical sector Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.
feedstock used to make chemicals. chemical industry as feedstock. The switching focus to supply petrochemi-
Estimates of chemical sector Scope 3 global share of fossil fuels as a primary cal feedstocks to reflect changing de-
17
CATALYSING CHANGE: DEFOSSILISING THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY – POLICY BRIEFING
emissions range from approximately energy source has been projected to fall mand. However, in the longer term,
just over one-third to two-thirds of from 80% in 2019 to between 55% and the chemical industry may have to pay
total emissions. This briefing will use 20% by 2050. As fossil use for transport an increasing portion of the cost of oil
the lower end of this range, assuming and power declines, the proportion of processing to prepare fossil feedstocks,
that Scope 3 is responsible for approxi- fossil carbon being used by the chemi- leading to rising costs. In addition, if
mately one-third of total emissions. cal industry compared to other sectors CO emissions pricing rise the costs of
2
will increase – if the sector continues to fossil feedstocks will increase further.
Scope 3 emissions are tied to the use rely on fossil feedstocks48.
of oil, gas and coal as raw materials in There is uncertainty around the
the industry. There is currently approxi- As chemical industry demand for long-term cost of fossil feedstocks, as
mately 550-mt per year of embedded fossil carbon increases and energy and petrochemical infrastructure investments
carbon in feedstocks for chemicals and transport sector demand decreases, and supply and demand changes. Further
derived material. An estimated 88% of some estimate that the chemical in- research on these economic influences
this is fossil-based, 8% bio-based, 4% dustry could have the same demand could be helpful for policy and industry
recycled, and less than 0.1% is from for embedded carbon as energy and decision makers to ensure resilience
CO . Demand for embedded carbon transport by 2050. It should be noted, of supply chains from chemical manu-
2
could be approximately double, at over though, that there is uncertainty over facturers to downstream users and citizen
1.1-Gt, by 2050. this as changing economic, policy and consumers.
societal drivers in each sector will
Fossil feedstock uncertainty influence demand for fossil carbon. [Part 2, which will be published in the
Fossil feedstocks for the manufac- As fossil use in other sectors declines, June 11 issue of Chemical Weekly, will
ture of chemical products are almost there may be greater availability of focus on use as biomass as feedstock]
always coproducts of wider hydrocarbon fossil feedstocks for the chemical industry [The complete report, including references,
use. At present, approximately 10% of in the short- to medium-term. There is can be viewed online at: royalsociety.org/
all global fossil carbon is used by the growing interest in refinery operations defossilising-chemicals]

Chemical Weekly June 4, 2024 173

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