Showing 41–60 of 509
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RCI’s scientific background report: “RCI carbon flows report – Compilation of supply and demand of fossil and renewable carbon on a global and European level” (Oct. 2023)
Policy, Sustainability & Health
92 Pages
2128 Downloads2128 Downloads
2023-10
FREE
2128
DownloadsThe Carbon Flows report is a compilation of supply and demand of fossil and renewable carbon on a global and European level. It provides a comprehensive understanding of today’s carbon flows and what it means to replace fossil carbon with renewable carbon in the materials and chemicals sectors. It’s main intent is to provide a uniform and transparent data basis for a future carbon management that can be used and shared by industry, associations, policy-makers, science and alike.
In the last five years, the mindset around carbon has changed fundamentally. Of course, there is no way around the fact that the rising concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere pose an existential threat to life on Earth. But at the same time, carbon is the main component of our food, the basis of all organic chemicals and plastics, and the backbone of life on Earth.
In the chemicals and plastics sectors in particular, almost 90% of the carbon used as feedstock is fossil carbon. This fossil carbon must be replaced by renewable carbon from recycling, biomass and CO2 by 2050 to avoid a further influx of fossil carbon into our technosphere and atmosphere.This report provides a comprehensive, detailed and updated carbon flow data basis that significantly surpasses previous publications, containing more than 35 figures and tables with corresponding descriptions of methodology, source material and data. All data have been corroborated as best as currently possible by scientific publications, feedback from experts and additional research. Remaining gaps and differences are transparently depicted and explained as well as possible.
The nova experts assessed data from a multitude of sources. A wide range of data on material flow are used to compile a comprehensive inventory of carbon stocks and flows. The sectors covered include all applications of organic carbon from fossil resources and biomass production, from raw materials through utilisation to final end-of-life. This includes use of carbon for feed and food, for materials, for energy and for fuels. A special focus is put on the carbon demand in the chemical and plastic industry today and tomorrow, with several figures specifically zooming into this sector and including scenarios for a full defossilisation by 2050.
The Carbon Flows report is designed to be a living document that we would like to update every one to two years if possible. This also means that we look forward to your feedback, additional input, new data and suggestions from any interested party. Please directly contact the main author of the study for this: ferdinand.kaehler@nova-institut.de
DOI No.: https://doi.org/10.52548/KCTT1279
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RCI’s scientific background report: “Renewable carbon as a guiding principle for sustainable carbon cycles (Update)” (September 2023)
Policy, Sustainability & Health
51 Pages
786 Downloads786 Downloads
2023-09
FREE
786
DownloadsWhy It Is Right and Necessary To Choose Renewable Carbon as a Guiding Principle for Sustainable Development in the Chemicals and Materials Sectors
The Scientific Background Report on “Renewable Carbon as a Guiding Principle for Sustainable Carbon Cycles – Why It Is Right and Necessary To Choose Renewable Carbon as a Guiding Principle for Sustainable Development in the Chemicals and Materials Sectors“ was RCI’s first major publication and forms the basis for the concept and strategy of the RCI. Together with input from all members, the RCI has worked on an updated version – In this second edition, the following main changes have been implemented:
- New IPCC data on greenhouse gas emissions from the 6th Assessment Report (published March 2022) have been integrated.
- To establish proper data baselines, entirely novel carbon flows data have been integrated.
- The initial eleven policy recommendations were further sharpened, fine-tuned and concretised through lots of feedback from talks with politicians, NGOs, industrial actors, the bio-based, CO2-based and recycling sector, energy experts and many other stakeholders. Further political demands resulted from these discussions as well as recently published RCI position papers and consultations, which are now also integrated into the paper.
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change, the inflow of fossil carbon must be reduced quickly and in high volumes. The EU has started pushing for decarbonisation in energy and transport sectors, but has largely ignored chemical and material industries. These sectors require carbon-based feedstocks and cannot be “decarbonised,” so tackling embedded carbon in these industries is crucial. This paper proposes an approach to minimize environmental impact and maximize the reduction of GHG emissions.
DOI No.: https://doi.org/10.52548/CXFS7519
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“Bio- and CO2-based Economy: feedstocks, processes and products” − Graphic – Update
Markets & Economy, Sustainability & Health, Technology
1 Page
3092 Downloads3092 Downloads
2023-09
FREE
3092
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RCI’s position paper: “Commission proposal for a Green Claims Directive (GCD) – Towards science-based substantiation of claims and accurate biogenic carbon accounting” (September 2023)
Policy
3 Pages
130 Downloads130 Downloads
2023-09
FREE
130
DownloadsTowards science-based substantiation of claims and accurate biogenic carbon accounting
The Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) wholeheartedly endorses the Green Claims Directive’s (GCD) mission to provide consumers and businesses with reliable, comparable, and verifiable information to facilitate sustainable choices.
In our position paper, we emphasise three aspects that, in our view, require additional attention to maximise the impact of the GCD and support products and solutions derived from non-fossil, renewable-carbon-based feedstock from biomass, CCU or recycling.
1. Science-Based Life-Cycle Assessment Methodologies: RCI welcomes the acceptance of several life-cycle assessment methods for substantiating environmental claims but emphasises the practical importance of maintaining flexibility in the upcoming trilogue negotiations. We also call for clarification on how to determine if an environmental impact is considered “significant.”
2. Differentiated Biogenic Carbon Accounting Methodology: The RCI advocates for enabling the possibility to better reflect uptake of atmospheric CO2 via biogenic carbon (and principally any process that captures CO2 from the atmosphere) in product assessments. In general, biogenic carbon in LCA is neither credited with carbon uptake through biomass at the beginning nor with the emissions (e.g. from incineration) at end of life. While this is from a proper LCA point-of-view valid and recommended, it leads to issues for stakeholders reporting their biogenic product’s carbon footprint at factory gate, because the uptake of atmospheric carbon cannot be shown and the conceptual advantage over fossil products gets lost. At the same time, we are aware of misleading “carbon negative” claims and argue that only full cradle-to-grave LCAs should qualify for such B2C claims.
3. Ensuring a Reliable Verification Mechanism: Recognising the need for mandated verification of environmental claims before B2C communication, RCI acknowledges the potential challenges posed by these resource-intensive processes. We want to stress the importance of an effective approach and an extended transition period to enable authorities, verifiers, and the industry to smoothly adapt to these processes and mitigate potential delays in communicating claims for innovative products.
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RCI’s position paper: “RCI’s manifesto for the next European Commission (2024-2029)” (August 2023)
Policy
3 Pages
211 Downloads211 Downloads
2023-08
FREE
211
DownloadsThe RCI Manifesto highlights key issues for the new European Commission (2024 – 2029) to take up and focus on.
The key messages are:
- Ensure that carbon embedded in chemicals and materials is given more political attention as an important factor for material-related emissions. Renewable carbon derived from biomass, direct CO2 utilisation, and recycling must become a guiding principle for policies and targets regulating chemicals and materials.
- Make a stepwise phaseout of fossil carbon from below the ground for chemicals and materials by 2050 an explicit objective.
- Translate the 20% non-fossil carbon target for chemicals and plastics by 2030 from the Sustainable Carbon Cycles Communication into binding legislation and ensure implementation through concrete policy measures.
- Establish a ‘Carbon Management Regulation’ to incentivise companies to replace fossil carbon from below the ground with renewable alternatives.
- Promote bio- and CO2-based[1] or -attributed content in parallel to recycled content in product-related regulation.
- Deploy Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) as a key strategic net-zero technology to provide sustainable and circular carbon.
- Support the transformation of existing chemical infrastructure from fossil to renewable carbon and support the transformation of biofuels plants into chemical suppliers without discriminating against existing production from renewable feedstock (including primary biomass).
[1] The use of the term CCU generally refers to the utilisation of carbon dioxide (CO2), but can also include industrial carbon monoxide (CO) sources prior to flaring or other conversions to CO2 before release to the atmosphere. In the US, CO2 and CO are grouped together as “carbon oxides” for purposes of Section 45Q CCUS tax credits. In this report, “CO2 utilisation” is meant to also include other carbon oxides.
Call for Signature
The RCI manifesto outlines 7 core recommendations directed towards the forthcoming European Commission, aimed at translating the vision of ending the use of fossil feedstock into reality.
Voice your support for the RCI manifesto for the next European Commission (2024–2029) now!
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Global Supply for Embedded Carbon in Chemicals and Derived Materials by Type of Feedstock (PNG)
Markets & Economy, Policy
1 Page
109 Downloads109 Downloads
2023-07
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DownloadsFigure from the RCI Carbon Flows Report 2023
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Consumption of Embedded Carbon for Global Chemicals and Derived Materials by End-user Application (PNG)
Markets & Economy, Policy
1 Page
75 Downloads75 Downloads
2023-07
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DownloadsFigure from the RCI Carbon Flows Report 2023
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Consumption of Embedded Carbon for Global Chemicals and Derived Materials by Carbon Feedstock (PNG)
Markets & Economy, Policy
1 Page
73 Downloads73 Downloads
2023-07
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DownloadsFigure from the RCI Carbon Flows Report 2023
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Consumption of Embedded Carbon for Global Polymers (PNG)
Markets & Economy, Policy
1 Page
86 Downloads86 Downloads
2023-07
FREE
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DownloadsFigure from the RCI Carbon Flows Report 2023
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Explorative Scenario – Carbon Embedded in the Heavy Oil Fraction. (PNG)
Markets & Economy, Policy
1 Page
43 Downloads43 Downloads
2023-07
FREE
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DownloadsFigure from the RCI Carbon Flows Report 2023
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Carbon Demand for Embedded Carbon in the EU-27 Chemical Industry (PNG)
Markets & Economy, Policy
1 Page
92 Downloads92 Downloads
2023-07
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DownloadsFigure from the RCI Carbon Flows Report 2023
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Global Demand for Carbon Embedded in Materials and Chemicals (PNG)
Markets & Economy, Policy
1 Page
158 Downloads158 Downloads
2023-07
FREE
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DownloadsFigure from the RCI Carbon Flows Report 2023
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Consumption of Embedded Carbon in the Global Chemical Industry (PNG)
Markets & Economy, Policy
1 Page
88 Downloads88 Downloads
2023-07
FREE
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DownloadsFigure from the RCI Carbon Flows Report 2023
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Gross and net carbon removal of hemp and wood per hectare and year (PNG)
Sustainability & Health
1 Page
58 Downloads58 Downloads
2023-07
FREE
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Carbon Storage in Hemp and Wood raw materials for Construction Materials
Sustainability & Health
20 Pages
249 Downloads249 Downloads
2023-07
FREE
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DownloadsAs such, it is interesting to investigate the potential of biomass to store carbon in raw materials used in industry, more specifically the construction industry. What is the potential of biomass to supply the construction industry with raw materials containing temporarily stored biogenic carbon per hectare and year? Are there differences between various biomass types? What is the associated reduction of atmospheric greenhouse gasses due to the carbon in the raw materials? What are the emissions of greenhouse gasses associated with this provision of raw materials? This study will look into these questions for wood and hemp based raw materials which can be used in the construction industry. The production of the construction materials, and the associated emissions with the conversion of the raw materials to final products, is outside the scope of this assessment due to the wide variety of construction materials which can be produced from the raw materials. The study has calculated the potential of a hectare of wood and hemp to transfer carbon from the biosphere to materials which can be used in the construction and insulation industry. The potential of a hectare of wood and hemp to provide carbon to the construction industry, including greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production, is similar.
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1019 Downloads
2023-07
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DownloadsFull spectrum of available recycling technologies divided by their basic working principles and their products.
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Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) Shapes the Future of the Chemicals and Materials Sector
Markets & Economy, Policy
3 Pages
117 Downloads117 Downloads
2023-07
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DownloadsFrom international brands to leading chemical and bioeconomy companies to innovative start-ups for CO2 utilisation, companies are collaborating to guide a smart transition from fossil carbon to renewable carbon. The Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) (www.renewable-carbon-initiative.com) was created after observing the struggles of the chemical and material industriesin facing the enormous challenges to meet the climate goals set by the European Union and the sustainability expectations held by societies around the globe. It was clear that the industry has to go beyond using renewable energy and also consider their raw materials. Because decarbonisation is not an option for the chemical and material sector, as it is entirely based on the use of carbon, an alternative strategy is required: defossilisation through renewable carbon – carbon from above the ground: biomass, CO2 and recycling.
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235 Downloads
2023-07
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DownloadsThis poster shows examples of CO2-based products.
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334 Downloads
2023-07
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DownloadsCarbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) provides multiple solutions for sustainability
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RCI’s scientific background paper: “Making a case for Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) – It is much more than just a carbon removal technology” (July 2023)
Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health, Technology
48 Pages
1493 Downloads1493 Downloads
2023-07
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DownloadsThis scientific background paper highlights the importance of Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) and the need for more political recoginition and support for CCU.
CCU enables the substitution of fossil carbon in sectors where carbon is necessary, supports the full defossilisation of the chemical and derived material industries, creates a circular economy, reduces the emission gap, promotes sustainable carbon cycles, fosters innovation, generates local value and stimulates job growth.
CCU is much more than a carbon removal technology: the technology offers multiple solutions to pressing problems of our modern world and can support several Sustainable Development Goals if implemented properly.
In total, 14 different benefits and advantages of CCU are described and discussed in the paper. A key advantage is that CCU supplies renewable carbon to – and thereby substitutes fossil carbon in – sectors that will require carbon in the long run. This includes the chemical sectors and products like polymers, plastics, solvents, paints, detergents, cosmetics or pharmaceuticals. But CCU is also essential to a long-term net-zero strategy, crucial for creating a sustainable circular economy, providing solutions for scaling up the renewable energy system, and bringing multiple benefits for innovation and business.
The relevance of the technology is not yet accepted in Europe, but the RCI wants to make a very clear statement: CCU is a central pillar for the biggest transformation of the chemical and material industry since the industrial revolution.
DOI No.: https://doi.org/10.52548/VYKR3129