Showing 81–100 of 225
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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
161 Downloads161 Downloads
2023-09
FREE
161
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
243 Downloads243 Downloads
2023-08
FREE
243
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
162 Downloads162 Downloads
2023-07
FREE
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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
118 Downloads118 Downloads
2023-07
FREE
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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
115 Downloads115 Downloads
2023-07
FREE
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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
128 Downloads128 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
141 Downloads141 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
54 Downloads54 Downloads
2023-07
FREE
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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
250 Downloads250 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
133 Downloads133 Downloads
2023-07
FREE
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DownloadsFigure from the RCI Carbon Flows Report 2023
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Renewable Carbon Initiative (RCI) Shapes the Future of the Chemicals and Materials Sector
Markets & Economy, Policy
3 Pages
135 Downloads135 Downloads
2023-07
FREE
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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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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
2035 Downloads2035 Downloads
2023-07
FREE
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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
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177 Downloads
2023-07
FREE
177
DownloadsThis short document contains seven key policy messages the RCI advocates for to shape the future of the chemical and material industry. These seven messages are:
- Renewable carbon and comprehensive carbon management need to become integral guiding principles of policies to achieve truly sustainable carbon cycles.
- Adopt a precise definition of “non-fossil, sustainable” carbon and then adopt a legally binding target for 20% sustainable, non-virgin-fossil carbon content
- Suitable measures to support the 20% goal would be
- material- and product focused policies that promote all three renewable carbon sources,
- CCU receiving at least the same support as CCS and
- recognition and promotion of chemical recycling technologies
- Support the transformation of existing chemical infrastructure from fossil to renewable carbon and support the transformation of biofuels plants into chemical suppliers
- Support the massive expansion of renewable energies
- Develop standards, certificates and labels for renewable carbon
- Phase out financial support, tax advantages and tax exemptions for fossil feedstocks
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Proceedings: nova-Session on Policies for Chemicals and Plastics in a Net-Zero Economy (PDF)
Policy
4 Downloads4 Downloads
2023-06
FREE
Plus 19% MwSt.4
DownloadsAre you ready to join the conversation on Europe’s clean future? The EU has recently introduced a series of key policies aimed at achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, which will have a significant impact on the way companies operate. To help you understand these policies and their implications specifically for chemicals and plastics, nova-Institute hosted an online workshop on “Policies for Chemicals and Plastics in a Net-Zero Economy” in June 2023.
The proceedings includs four presentations of:
- Luciano Proto Cassina, and Nico Hark, nova-Institute: Overview of EU initiatives impacting renewable carbon chemicals and plastics
- Larry Sullivan, KBR: What does the US’s Inflation Reduction Act mean for the EU?
- Carla Benauges, DG CLIMA, European Commission: The EU’s answer to the IRA, the Net-Zero Industry Act
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Embedded Carbon Demand for Main Sector (PNG)
Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health, Technology
1 Page
139 Downloads139 Downloads
2023-06
FREE
139
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Traffic Light Sustainability Risk Evaluation of Bio-based Feedstocks (PNG)
Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health, Technology
1 Page
292 Downloads292 Downloads
2023-06
FREE
292
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Corn and its Applications (PNG)
Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health, Technology
1 Page
123 Downloads123 Downloads
2023-06
FREE
123
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Rapeseed and its Applications (PNG)
Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health, Technology
1 Page
95 Downloads95 Downloads
2023-06
FREE
95
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Yield of Fermentable Sugars (PNG)
Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health, Technology
1 Page
148 Downloads148 Downloads
2023-06
FREE
148
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Graphic of the scientific paper „The Use of Food and Feed Crops for Bio-based Materials and the Related Effects on Food Security“ (PNG)
Markets & Economy, Policy, Sustainability & Health, Technology
1 Page
113 Downloads113 Downloads
2023-06
FREE
113
DownloadsPromoting Evidence-based Debates and Recognising Potential Benefits
The graphic shows the multiple potential benefits of using food and feed crops for bio-based materials, in terms of climate, land productivity, environment, farmers, market stability, feed security and food security.
- The climate wins – Bio-based materials are part of the solution to achieve climate change mitigation.
- Land productivity wins – The competition between applications is not for the type of crop grown, but for the land
- The environment wins – due to increased resource efficiency and productivity of food and feed crops.
- Farmers win – because they have more options for selling stock to different markets.
- Market stability wins – due to increased global availability of food and feed crops.
- Feed security wins – due to the high value of the protein-rich co-products of food and feed crops.
- Food security wins – due to the increased overall availability of edible crops that can be stored and flexibly distributed.