Chemical engineering, not carbon offsetting, is key to a low-carbon future

onJul 6, 2007 @ 11:02 PDT

Chemical engineers already are hard at work to develop low-carbon technologies and carbon-abatement methods, said Simons, of the Institution of Chemical Engineers and a professor at University College London. This means radical changes in how we produce and use chemicals.

The world is growing increasingly aware of the carbon problem due to better labeling of carbon emitted during manufacture, packaging and transportation of products. But labeling should also include future emissions.

“We must learn to produce chemicals using technologies that require less energy and produce less carbon if we are to have a real and lasting effect on the level of emissions,” Simons said. “If we’re to… meet (UK) Government targets of reducing CO2 emissions by 60% from 1990 levels by 2050, we are going to have to do more than simply throw money at the problem under the guise of offsetting.”

By Bill Miller

Analysis

Q&A: Amy Westervelt on the Corporate Poisoning of the Information Aquifer — and How to Undo the Harm

ByMatthew Green

onSep 21, 2026 @ 12:34 PDT

The acclaimed climate accountability journalist says bold steps are needed to reverse the insidious impact of decades of industry propaganda on the public square.

Series: Holding the Advertising and Public Relations Industry Accountable for Greenwash and Climate Misinformation

Series: Advertising & PR Industry

Suncor Helped Lead Climate Denial Group Spreading ‘Uncertainties’

ByGeoff Dembicki

onSep 21, 2026 @ 07:18 PDT

With a U.S. Supreme Court decision looming on whether the company can be held liable for climate deception, internal documents show a campaign to question science.