Responsible Production
COP27
World leaders will again gather at the COP27 conference in Egypt for a critical debate on climate change, seeking to collaborate to accelerate global climate action.
Chemical engineers are uniquely placed to support this drive to create a just and sustainable future. Working across a range of industries and sectors together right across the globe gives chemical engineers the knowledge to lead and influence change. Chemical engineers will continue to take action to mitigate and adapt to the adverse impact of greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2022, IChemE updated its climate change position statement. First published in 2020, this statement recognised that chemical engineers are ideally placed to help reverse the catastrophic impacts humans are currently imposing on the life support systems of our planet. The statement contained a number of commitments and initiatives for IChemE, and working groups are now progressing with the actions identified. During the 2022 review, the volunteer committee determined that the statement was still relevant with only one update being required. The update strengthened the requirement for members’ continuing professional development (CPD) to include activities which provide the knowledge and skills to support members and their organisations in the transition to a net zero carbon economy and in climate change adaptation.
What is IChemE doing?
Climate change position statement
Aiming to take a lead role in tackling climate change, IChemE developed a position statement with the commitment to work with all stakeholders to deliver a fair, safe and sustainable future. Read the updated position statement published in November 2022.
Climate change commitments
IChemE makes several commitments in its position on climate change. They cover many aspects of IChemE’s own activities and the services it provides to its members. Read more on the progress made so far.
Targeting net zero carbon emissions
IChemE’s climate change position statement contained a commitment to develop plans for achieving net zero carbon emissions from IChemE’s direct operations globally by 2025, and publish greenhouse gas emissions data and progress against this target each year. View the reports on progress made so far.
Climate change action plans
IChemE’s member communities developed climate change actions plans specifically to cover the requirements of their areas. View the plans including the two latest plans from the Clean Energy Special Interest Group and Pharma Special Interest Group.
Climate-related webinar recordings
A compendium of freely available climate-related webinars delivered by IChemE Special Interest and Member Groups. View the webinars on topics ranging from carbon capture and hydrogen to pollution abatement and water.
BLOG: COP27 - From Ambition to Implementation
Read this blog by IChemE Fellow Mary Stewart, an observer to the processes of the UNFCCC, the global body with oversight of the Paris Agreement, who outlines the main themes of the COP27 conference.
VIDEO: "I am a chemical engineer who is working to address climate change"
Watch these short videos where IChemE members share how they are working to address the challenges of climate change.