Lack of clarity on UK chems decarbonization threatens industry’s viability – Green Alliance

LONDON (ICIS)–A “worrying” future lies ahead for the UK chemicals industry because there is no concrete roadmap in place to eliminate fossil fuels, the think tank Green Alliance said on Thursday.

Researchers at the organization warned that up to 140,000 jobs in the industry are at risk in the long term if policymakers fail to plan for its decarbonization.

The figure is far greater than the 33,700 workers currently employed by the steel industry,  the most recent subject of talk about job losses and decarbonization.

The UK chemicals industry accounts for 19% of the UK’s industrial emissions and is heavily dependent on fossil fuels for energy and feedstocks.

It will also, however, play an important role in providing vital components for net-zero technologies, including batteries and wind turbines, the Green Alliance noted.

Despite the chemical industry’s strategic value, government support has been minimal so far because of its focus on carbon capture and storage (CCS) and hydrogen fuel.

As a result, more important areas such as electrification and the substitution of fossil fuel feedstocks are in danger of being left behind, Green Alliance said.

It pointed out that a new industrial strategy will provide an opportunity to secure the future of the industry and safeguard the resilience of the UK economy.

“The government needs to develop a coherent vision for what a successful green chemical industry looks like,” said Liam Hardy, senior policy analyst at Green Alliance.