The House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis holds a hearing this afternoon on how the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and other legislation can be used to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, strengthen supply chains, expand domestic manufacturing of climate solutions, and create jobs. We’ll be watching.
What we’re doing: American Chemistry Council (ACC) members are identifying, implementing, and collaborating on strategies to enable a lower emissions future.
- 95% of ACC’s 20 largest member companies have announced absolute GHG reduction or emissions intensity goals.
- We’re working with Congress and the Biden Administration to accelerate research, development, and demonstration of innovative clean manufacturing technologies (e.g., CCUS; lower-emission hydrogen, steam, and electricity; the use of biomaterials and circular feedstocks; cracker electrification).
How we’re doing: ACC members publicly report their GHG intensity (i.e., pounds of CO2-equivalent emissions per pound of production).
- From 2017 to 2020, ACC’s reporting members have reduced their GHG intensity by about 10%.
- Energy efficiency and GHG intensity are reported through Responsible Care®
Why it matters: American chemistry has a critical role in helping our nation meet its carbon reduction and sustainability goals. Our industry is a key element of the economy and manufacturing sector.
- Chemical-based products and technologies are used to create low-carbon solutions such as renewable energy sources (e.g., solar and wind), electric and high-efficiency vehicles, advanced batteries, high-performance building materials, and more.
- The chemical industry supports a vast supply chain. For every chemical manufacturing job, nearly seven additional jobs are created elsewhere in the economy.
What policymakers should do: Last spring, ACC developed and issued a set of policy recommendations for a lower-emissions future. We’re continuing to engage with Congress and the Administration.
- Congress should boost government investment and scientific resources to develop and deploy lower-emissions technologies in the manufacturing sector. And lawmakers should promote the adoption of emissions-avoiding solutions and technologies.
- Federal agencies should implement new research, funding, and industry partnership programs for the development and deployment of energy efficiency and carbon reduction technologies and infrastructure.
- It’s important to recognize that the U.S. chemical industry is energy-intensive and exposed to global trade. Our diverse companies produce thousands of unique product chemistries with different feedstocks, energy inputs, technology requirements, and emissions profiles.
