Meeting the Paris Agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C is crucial for preventing severe climate change impacts, according to Angelika Zartl-Klik, Senior Vice President for Low Carbon Business at OMV. The path to net-zero emissions by 2050 involves significant transformations across various sectors, including energy and construction.
Current national plans aim for a modest reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, falling short of the necessary decrease to meet the agreement’s target. Hard-to-abate sectors like chemical manufacturing and construction pose significant challenges due to their carbon-intensive processes.
Jan Theulen from Heidelberg Materials highlights that concrete production significantly contributes to global emissions but offers potential decarbonization paths through efficiencies and less-polluting fuels. He emphasizes that cost increases in sustainable materials should not make building unaffordable.
Innovative solutions are being explored, such as using alternative inputs or new processes for cement production. However, scaling these solutions remains challenging. Martin Frings from OGE stresses the importance of carbon capture and storage (CCS) alongside carbon dioxide removal (CDR) technologies as essential tools for achieving climate neutrality.
CCS involves capturing CO₂ from industrial sources and storing it underground permanently. This technology could be crucial in balancing emissions from industries that cannot fully decarbonize by 2050. Theulen acknowledges CCS as a vital component in reducing clinker usage and making cement more sustainable.
OMV is committed to providing CCS solutions specifically for hard-to-abate industries, recognizing its potential in reducing carbon emissions effectively.
