This text is sponsored by Collectively for Sustainability.

For these within the chemical sector, the report temperatures skilled internationally this summer time was one other reminder of the essential function we should play in addressing the local weather disaster. Alongside different integral industries akin to infrastructure and vitality, the chemical sector varieties the spine of the worldwide economic system via its function as an innovator and options supplier. However as well as, additionally it is liable for a excessive degree of worldwide greenhouse gasoline emissions, 77 p.c of that are from the availability chain — a part of oblique Scope 3 GHG emissions.  

To deal with the Scope 3 problem and alter the course of the chemical sector’s local weather trajectory, Collectively for Sustainability (TfS) launched the Scope 3 GHG Program, an industry-wide method to watch, handle and scale back emissions all through the chemical provide chain. 

Based in 2011 by six chemical firms — BASF, Bayer, Evonik, Henkel, Lanxess and Solvay — TfS is a worldwide initiative selling sustainability throughout the chemical {industry}’s provide chain. The community consists of 47 of the world’s largest chemical teams, with a worldwide attain spanning Europe, the Americas and Asia. 

This September marks an vital milestone as we have fun one yr for the reason that launch of TfS’ Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) Guideline — the worldwide gold commonplace for transparency and ease when calculating emissions in chemical provide chains. It’s now certainly one of TfS’ core choices alongside Assessments and Audits, aimed toward fostering sustainable and resilient provide chains within the chemical sector.

The primary of its form, the Guideline offers a step-by-step information for chemical suppliers and adjoining industries to calculate the carbon footprint of their merchandise, offering chemical producers with the info they should set tangible emissions reductions targets and drive decarbonization throughout the sector.

Measuring progress

Since launching the PCF Guideline final yr, TfS has centered on progressing and elevating consciousness of the device amongst members and adjoining industries, leading to over 7,000 downloads of the Guideline thus far. We’re within the first yr of its implementation and nonetheless have a protracted solution to go, however by arming chemical firms with the suitable formulation to calculate emissions from their provide chains, we imagine we will spark a change inside the sector and deal with the Scope 3 problem. 

“The institution of the TfS PCF Guideline has performed an integral function in the direction of the commitments and targets surrounding Sika’s Internet Zero Pledge, in addition to a defining consider guaranteeing GHG emissions transparency inside Sika’s provide chain and future enterprise improvement,” stated Marcos Vazquez, head of procurement at Sika, a TfS member. “We acknowledge the necessity for a standardized method throughout the chemical {industry}, and driving this might be a key precedence for Sika Procurement, in keeping with Sika’s present and future methods.”

Merck is also implementing TfS’ PCF Guideline to calculate the Product Carbon Footprints for chemical compounds. “We’re at present piloting a PCF calculation device to automate the method for Merck’s completed items globally, utilizing TfS’ methodology to make sure we’re aligning with the worldwide gold commonplace for chemical emissions monitoring,” stated Andreas Polomski, head of Local weather Motion at Merck. “This device will assist us present our clients with correct PCF knowledge, permitting them to see which merchandise have decreased emissions, akin to our bio-based acetone.” 

“The launch of the TfS guideline is resulting in extra harmonized PCF values all through the worth chain, leading to elevated transparency and accuracy of emissions disclosure associated to Covestro’s merchandise,” stated Ferdinand Rammrath, CPO at Covestro. “Covestro is actively partaking with its suppliers utilizing the TfS Guideline. We’re receiving a rising quantity of supplier-specific PCF values and insights into GHG discount potentials as a way to push ahead in the direction of Internet Zero.”

Constructing on this constructive trajectory and to encourage additional adoption of the PCF Guideline’s methodology, TfS is piloting a PCF data-sharing resolution utilizing Siemens SiGREEN expertise. The answer goals to drive transparency within the chemical sector, facilitate large-scale PCF knowledge alternate and contribute to decarbonization targets. Through the use of the PCF Guideline as the strategy to calculate a PCF — and the IT resolution to share the data at scale — TfS’ members might be geared up with the instruments required to succeed in their GHG discount targets and make their contribution in the direction of the Paris Settlement. Firms within the TfS Scope 3 GHG emissions working group are concerned within the ongoing pilot and, if profitable, it will result in broader adoption by TfS members and their suppliers in early 2024.

Collaborating past chemical compounds

With Scope 3 emissions sometimes accounting for over 70 p.c of a enterprise’ carbon footprint, collaboration with firms adjoining to the chemical sector is important. Though the Guideline was created to satisfy the wants of chemical companies, additionally it is a “drop-in” resolution for different international industries that use chemical supplies. 

From private care to plastics, automotive to agriculture, these industries are depending on chemical provide chains. Up to now yr, TfS has run a profitable consciousness marketing campaign with 50 {industry} associations and initiatives globally, acquiring recognition or endorsement within the chemical and different downstream sectors (lubricants, plastics and rubber, textiles) in Europe, Asia and North America. TfS can also be a key companion of WBCSD-PACT for the chemical sector. General, TfS is positioning the PCF Guideline because the gold commonplace resolution to product-level carbon accounting and Scope 3 emissions monitoring for chemical and plastics supplies.

Wanting forward

As we method the Paris Settlement’s 2030 milestone (to scale back GHG emissions by 45 p.c by 2030, with the general aim of internet zero by 2050) the urgency to satisfy local weather targets grows. Interim targets set for 2030 are simply seven years away and would require accelerated efforts, elevated sources and efficient options to satisfy them. 

Wanting forward, TfS goals to have the instruments in place for the chemical sector to deal with the Scope 3 problem. The main target will shift in the direction of mobilizing members to have interaction with suppliers to share extra clear knowledge to allow them to start to account for emissions reductions alongside the worth chain. We acknowledge there may be far more to do, however because of the revolutionary nature of the chemical {industry}, we imagine we will act as a catalyst for change and drive ahead the transition to a low-carbon future.