Activities

Climate Protection in the Production and Use of Chemicals:

Learning Experiences and Recommendations Concerning Developing Countries and Emerging Economies. Report for discussion at the ICCM5

This paper addresses the interlinkages between sustainable chemicals management and climate change with a focus on realistic greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation pathways in the production and use of chemicals, particularly in developing countries and emerging economies. It is based, among others, on the learning experiences of the Climate Action Programme for the Chemical Industry (CAPCI), written comments from cooperating experts and results of an online workshop with representatives from public, private, academic and civil society organisations from selected partner countries and international institutions and projects, held on 23 August 2023.

The most relevant conclusions of this process will be presented in a side event at the 5th Session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5) at the end of September 2023 in Bonn. The discussions at the ICCM5 and additional feedbacks on this paper will be included in a final version that is then published on the CAPCI page within the Homepage of the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3).

Report

CAPCI Webinar on Climate-friendly Pathways of Chemical Production

The webinar "Pathways towards a Sustainable and Climate-Friendly Chemical Production" was organized by CAPCI on 2 June 2023 as part of the Spotlight Event by ISC3. It targeted stakeholders from the private sector, public institutions, civil society and academia. The webinar focused on potential pathways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from chemical production and use, particularly in developing and emerging economies.

CAPCI at the COP 27

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has stated that without additional efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, global warming is likely to exceed 2°C by the end of the 21st century. For this reason, long-term commitment and ambitious action are required in practically all sectors of the economy and all countries, particularly in developing and emerging economies, where many have already committed to making more ambitious contributions that are determined by the nationally determined contributions (NDCs). In the process of designing concrete strategies and prioritizing mitigation actions, all relevant sectors must be engaged. Key success factors include capacity building and financing mechanisms.

Considering these factors, CAPCI and the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate action of Germany (BMWK) with its project called Supporting Preparedness for Article 6 Cooperation (SPAR6C) organized a side event within the COP27 that took place in Egypt on the 10th of November 2022. This side event was carried out within the framework of the 4th Capacity Building Hub of the United Nations Climate Change and its Paris Committee on Capacity Building.

The opening remarks were done by Stefan Wenzel (Parliamentary State Secretary) who stressed the importance of building capacities at country level to support the implementation of Art. 6 and 13 of the Paris Agreement. Hala Hamawi (Youth Researcher from Jordan) gave her speech on how impactful mentorship and internships are; in providing great insight for students in building sustainable national capacity for development. Dr. Tarin Pattanan, (Department of Industrial Works, Ministry of Industry of Thailand) stressed the importance of Capacity building on climate protection for the chemical industry, since the Chemical Industry is considered a “hidden climate hero”, due to the fact that 96% of the industry relies on chemical products. Building Capacities starting with Training of Trainers and Study Visit have been a good experience within the framework of implementing CAPCI in Thailand. Finally, Dr. Karen Olsen (UNEP-CCC), presented the IKI-SPAR6C program with a focus on capacity building for Article 6 implementation.

Further information: Building Sustainable National Capacities for Climate Action and Article 6 Implementation | UNFCCC

Delegation from 5 countries visits ACHEMA and chemical companies in Germany

Organized by the “Climate Action Programme for the Chemical Industry”, a study tour with participants from Argentina, Ghana, Peru, Thailand and Vietnam took place in Germany from 21st to 27th of August. The agenda of the visit focused on providing insights, know-how and practical experiences regarding state-of-the-art technologies and innovations for climate protection in the chemical industry. The delegation of 20 representatives from Government, National Chemical Associations and Universities engaged actively in discussions and site visits during the tour.

The study visit complemented CAPCI’s Training of Trainers course that was realized from June to July 2022 and that many delegation members had passed successfully. The study tour focused on practical aspects of climate protection and circular economy in the production and use of chemicals, while promoting knowledge sharing, exchange and networking among participants. The agenda of the study tour included visits to selected chemical parks and/or companies like BASF, COVESTRO, CURRENTA and the Industrial Park Höchst. It also provided the opportunity to visit the ACHEMA Fair Trade.

On the last day of the study visit, a workshop was organized that also gave the delegation members the possibility to exchange with other relevant projects of the GIZ, dealing e.g. with circular economy, greenhouse gas mitigation in fertilizer production, Green Hydrogen / Power to X, Sustainable Chemistry, Sustainable Industrial Areas und concepts for integrated climate and ozone layer protection. In addition, the participants of the study visit developed ideas for concrete activities in their home countries and committed to actively engage in CAPCI´s network on chemistry and climate change.

The “Climate Action Programme for the Chemical Industry” (CAPCI) is implemented by GIZ and funded by the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMUV) in the framework of its International Climate Initiative (IKI). It aims to strengthen the capacities of key actors for effective climate protection in the chemical industry, thereby enabling them to unlock GHG mitigation potentials in the production and use of chemicals and in related value chains. CAPCI is closely linked with the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3).

Training of Trainers Course on Sustainable Chemistry and Climate Protection

Climate change is one of the most pressing challenges of our time; long-term commitment and ambitious action towards greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation is required by practically all sectors of the economy. The chemical industry is not only a fundamental cornerstone of modern life and the manufacturing industry, 90% of which depends on products from chemicals and chemical products. It also accounts for a high share of global greenhouse gas emissions. Tapping the potentials for climate protection in the context of a transition towards more sustainable patterns of chemicals production and use requires adequate skills and capacities, particularly in developing countries and emerging economies.

• Sustainable Chemistry and Climate Change, including the concept of Sustainable Chemistry, the relevance of the chemical industry for tackling climate change
• Overview of the chemical industry and its subsectors as well as relevant greenhouse gas emission sources and corresponding emission reduction options
• Climate Policies and their implications for the chemical sector, e.g. UNFCCC, Paris Agreement and Art. 6, relevant mitigation initiatives at international and national level, “race to zero” / roadmaps to climate neutrality, NDC’s, sector plans, long-term strategies, MRV
• Emission assessment methods and concepts, management and monitoring tools - as a basis for effective and efficient design and implementation of mitigation measures in the chemical industry, incl. emission accounting and reporting, GHG protocol
• Technologies for emission reduction in the chemical sector, including energy- and process-related mitigation options as well as solutions for products with high global warming potential
• Circular Economy concepts in the chemical industry: “How to identify cost-efficient mitigation measures with co-benefits through efficient and circular use of resources?” and “How to avoid and minimize potential trade-offs?”