Energy savings are vital, says CIA
15 Jan 2000
Improving the energy efficiency of chemical processes is becoming more important than controlling emissions, according to the Chemical Industries Association. Launching its annual 'Indicators of Performance' safety, health and environment (SHE) review, the CIA also paraded the industry's achievements in reducing injuries, with time lost through accidents at an all-time low.
The CIAformed a voluntary energy efficiency agreement with the government last November, pledging to cut energy consumption per tonne of product by 20 per cent of 1990 levels by 2005. So far, progress has been good; 1997 per-tonne consumption was 14 per cent below 1990 levels, although it was unchanged from the previous year. But there's still a long way to go, as the newly-devised 'energy matrix' above shows although most companies are investing in energy management, they only have basic levels of communication, training and policy in this area.The chemical industry contributes 4 per cent of the UK's CO2 emissions; the CIA would like this to fall further.
There was one fatality among CIA members last year; however, lost-time accidents were at an all-time low, with a rate of 0.37 accidents per 100000 hours worked. The vast majority of accidents were 'slips, trips and falls', the CIA noted.
Hazardous emissions also continued their steady fall, with discharges of 'Red List' substances (classified as hazardous to water) falling to 5 per cent of 1990 levels just 20 tonnes. VOC emissions were down to 62000t, 72 per cent of 1995 levels.
* UK Indicators of performance 1997, CIA, Smith Square, London SW1P 3JJ
