Sustainable Plastics: Turning the Tide on Achieving Net Zero with Equity Energies
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Pictured: Adam Baker, Partnership Director, Equity Energies
The plastics industry is on an exponential growth trajectory, with production expected to double or even triple by 2050¹. That’s the same point at which the UK and EU aims to be climate-neutral – economies with Net Zero greenhouse gas emissions.
It’s no secret that by its very nature, extraction, refinement, and processing means end-to-end plastic production is emissions intensive. As much as 70% of the fossil fuel used in plastic creation comes from the raw materials used in mining and extraction, and not actually in the electricity used in processing¹.
Then, isn’t the continued expansion of plastic production at odds with the very nature of striving to achieve a more sustainable future?
Positively, the transition and redesign of the plastics sector is already underway², aimed at increasing circularity and fostering more sustainable business practices. But the requirement to accelerate the reduction in GHG emissions from the plastics system means that alongside efforts to reduce and reverse expansion of plastic products, is the need for meeting Net Zero timelines from a manufacturing and management perspective.
With applications in almost every sector, from packaging, consumer goods, and healthcare to automotive, construction, and technology, plasticcs are a strategically important material for global economies, meeting a wide range of business and societal needs.
So, where do you even start when it comes to achieving Net Zero in the plastics life cycle?
The pathway is pliable
Think of a piece of plastic. Inspired by the natural polymers of nature, you have a malleable material made up of a long chain of carbon atom components. Each component bonds to the others, complimenting and contributing to what the overall bespoke structure needs to look like.
The same bespoke principles should be applied when it comes to developing a Net Zero pathway. Organisations will have an entry or starting point, followed by a range of different components which, when combined, compliment, enhance, and work together to accelerate the journey to decarbonisation and Net Zero. Like plastic, a Net Zero pathway is pliable and must be moulded around unique organisational needs, depending on where you are in your Net Zero journey. There’s no one-size fits all approach, and no two Net Zero pathways are the same.
Energising the plastics transition
Of course, investing in decarbonisation measures is not just an environmental imperative; it’s an effective way of unlocking value for the business and the bottom line. Energy efficiency and energy waste reduction, for example, can lead to significant cost savings in production processes.
When we advise clients on their energy strategy and how it can support GHG reductions, spanning everything from target setting, identification of energy waste, consumption reduction, and on-site generation, we often refer to the term equity. In its simplest form, that means ensuring every business has access to the right information, planning, and execution to develop and implement its own unique pathway.
This, in turn, means benefitting from this equity; the value that is unlocked through energy strategy to drive Net Zero progress, such as financial savings which can be reinvested, and positive impact on sustainability progress and operational performance.
If it isn’t viable, it isn’t valuable
Setting targets that are commercially viable and can be achieved with business continuity is crucial. Too often ‘solutions vendors’ push products and technologies onto clients to meet sales targets, whether they are the right fit or not. Just as bad, is organisations setting unrealistic ambitious targets with no basis in data.
Ultimately, the starting point of any Net Zero pathway must be baselining; undertaking the process of measuring where you currently are in relation to carbon impact is crucial in informing reduction targets and understanding the impact you’re making.
Across multiple sectors, many organisations have tended to rush to set carbon reduction targets without a clear view of their baseline. While not a great example of best practice, it’s never too late to measure, even if published targets and timelines need to be retrofitted into a more ambitious pathway design. Regardless, the visibility that comes through proper baselining is perhaps the most powerful part of the process.
It’s a pathway, not a project
While reaching Net Zero, and even moving beyond that is entirely possible, it’s not linear and can feel easier said than done. Many organisations will already be on their journey to reducing carbon, but regularly reviewing progress and adapting strategies as needed will be essential.
The pathway to Net Zero is dynamic, with technological advancements, regulatory changes, and market conditions constantly evolving. Working with a trusted provider can help in staying informed and agile, whilst allowing organisations to capitalise on new opportunities and mitigate emerging risks – particularly within manufacturing given the often, large network of stakeholders, suppliers and supply chain models.
By breaking it down into manageable steps, creating a tailored approach, and fostering a culture of sustainability, those responsible within your organisation can lead everyone towards a more sustainable future.
² The Plastics Transition Roadmap
To find out more, visit www.equityenergies.com
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