IChemE rallies climate change cry

The Energy Centre said unless meaningful action is taken, CO₂ emissions released into the atmosphere risk further increase.

In a statement to support its recent Climate Communiqué – which calls for the need to move to a zero-carbon energy economy by just after 2050 – the Energy Centre outlines a number of topics that should hold priority at this month’s COP21 climate talks in Paris.

We can give policy makers the solutions needed to mitigate climate change

Energy Centre chairman Stefaan Simons

The topics include: energy efficiency; energy storage and grid management; carbon capture, storage and utilisation; nuclear; and sustainable bioenergy, and will be supported by expert recommendations made via the IChemE’s blog.

“The technologies exist now to deliver massive energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions in all five priority areas,” the statement said.

“Taken together, they represent a pathway to a decarbonised energy system that can be realised now, as long as the agreement made at COP21 recognises that the time has come for deployment of such technologies.”

Stefaan Simons, chairman of the Energy Centre, who will present at COP21 next week, said chemical engineers already understand the technology needed to limit atmospheric CO2 levels.

“Now is the time to start using it. World leaders can shift the focus from research and development to demonstration and deployment.

“We can give policy makers the solutions needed to mitigate climate change.”