IChemE convenes expert roundtable on industrial decarbonisation and skills in Scotland
18th November 2025
On 18 November, IChemE and the Royal Society of Edinburgh hosted an expert roundtable to discuss industrial decarbonisation in Scotland and associated challenges and opportunities for skills and economic development.
Decarbonisation is having a big impact in Scotland, with increased investment in renewable energy, downscaling of fossil fuel facilities, and companies increasingly implementing measures to minimise their emissions. Decarbonisation is having a particular impact on the energy sector, where Scotland’s natural resources and access to the North Sea oil fields have made it an historic hub.
To discuss this important topic, IChemE and the Royal Society of Edinburgh convened a roundtable, chaired by IChemE President Professor Raffaella Ocone and Dr Janet Brown. This event looked at what industrial decarbonisation is underway in Scotland, what the current impacts have been, what opportunities exist within the transition to net zero to develop the Scottish economy, how the skills market is changing to reflect the growth of low emissions industries, and what needs to be done to support people affected by this transition.
A number of key themes emerged in the discussion including: a clear sense that Scotland has (or is in a position to have) world leading assets in a number of areas such as carbon storage, hydrogen, renewable energy; an appreciation of the importance of the oil and gas sector and the products that depend on it in both the current and future economy; the need for a genuinely long term economic and social strategy for Scotland; and the need for government to make bold and clear decisions about the future direction of Scotland’s economy.
IChemE will be uploading an anonymised write-up of the discussion shortly. Find out more about the IChemE policy team and keep up with its wider work.
Contact
For further information contact:
Duncan Lugton, Head of Policy and Impact, IChemE
t: +44 (0) 1788 578214
e: dlugton@icheme.org
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Chemical, biochemical and process engineering is the application of science, mathematics and economics in the process of turning raw materials into everyday, and more specialist, products. Professional chemical engineers design, construct and manage process operations all over the world. Energy, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, synthetic fibres and clean drinking water are just some of the industry sectors and products where chemical engineering plays a central role.
IChemE
The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) advances chemical engineering's contribution for the benefit of society. We facilitate the development of chemical engineering professionals and provide connections to a powerful network of around 32,000 members in more than 100 countries.
We support our members in applying their expertise and experience to make an influential contribution to solving major global challenges, and are the only organisation permitted to award Chartered Chemical Engineer status and Professional Process Safety Engineer registration.