2022.11.9 WED

19:00 - 20:30

New Roles of the Chemical Industry toward Carbon Neutrality by 2050

Organizer

The University of Tokyo

Seminar abstract

Of all the hard-to-abate industries, the chemical industry is considered particularly difficult to decarbonize because carbon is often embedded in its extremely diverse products. The Center for Global Commons at the University of Tokyo, together with system change company Systemiq, has proposed pathways for the global chemical industry to reach scope 1-3 net zero while staying within the Planetary Boundaries, as well as new roles the chemical industry should take on. We will present our latest research results and discuss with global leaders how the chemical industry can transform itself into a climate solution in a hybrid format.
To join this seminar online, and to download our latest research report, please visit the link below.
https://cgc.ifi.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/research-en/chemistry-industry-en/

Speakers

【Local Speakers】

• Shinichi Kihara（Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry） Deputy Director-General for Environmental Affairs
• Paul Polman（IMAGINE） Co-founder and Chair
• Lord Adair Turner（Energy Transitions Commission） Chair
• Sophie Herrmann（Systemiq） Partner
• Naoko Ishii（The University of Tokyo） Executive Vice President, Professor at Institute for Future Initiatives
• Daisuke Kanazawa（The University of Tokyo） Collaborative Researcher

【Online Speakers】

• Charles O. Holliday（Mission Possible Partnership）Co-Chair

Session Summary

In the first half of the seminar, a presentation was given about the environmental issues the global chemical industry is facing, pathways to scope 1-3 net zero, implications about future demands, the economic impact of achieving net zero, and the role of carbon pricing. Further, recommendations for the chemical industry and the chemical system as a whole were made.
In the second half of the seminar, a panel discussion was held to discuss what the chemical industry, its business leaders, and the government should do to drive chemical industry’s decarbonziation, as well as how the value chain should deal with a cost increase. The role of carbon pricing, the importance of recognizing the value of avoided emissions, and the business opportunities for African countries were also discussed.
Please visit here for the detailed content of the seminar.
https://cgc.ifi.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/research-en/chemistry-industry-en/