IChemE calls for 'urgent' climate action

The ’Climate Communiqué’ issued by the group today outlines an urgent need to transition to a zero-carbon energy economy by early in the second half of the century.

An effective agreement in Paris will foster the widespread adoption of climate-change mitigation technologies that are already available and ready to be deployed.

Andy Furlong, IChemE director of policy

“The debate is settled; the immediate and urgent task is to respond to the climate change challenge,” said Andy Furlong, IChemE director of policy.

Other members of the coalition include the British Academy, The Academy of Medical Sciences, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institute of Physics, and the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Their joint statement calls on governments to negotiate an agreement to tackle the issue ahead of the United Nations climate talks in Paris later this year.

“The time for talking without substantial action has passed,” said Rachael Hall, a member of the IChemE Energy Centre board. “In Paris governments must do everything possible to secure a universal, binding agreement that will limit global warming in this century to 2°C.”

The Communiqué also acknowledges that everyone, from businesses through to communities and individuals, must play a part in tackling this global challenge, said Hall.

“An effective agreement in Paris will, amongst other things, foster the widespread adoption of climate-change mitigation technologies that are already available and ready to be deployed.”

In March, the IChemE launched an Energy Centre to develop evidence-based recommendations for action in the areas of energy efficiency, carbon capture, energy storage and smart grids.

“These recommendations will place chemical engineering at the heart of the energy policy debate,” said Furlong.

A more detailed position statement will be developed ahead of the COP21 talks in Paris, the IChemE said.