How the Industrial Sector can Decarbonise
Industry plays a vital role in our society, generating over 2.6 million jobs and 9% of the UK’s GDP, but it is also responsible for 16% of the UK’s carbon emissions, meaning the sector needs to decarbonise as quickly as possible on both a nation and individual level in order to achieve net zero by 2050. There are a number of methods for industry to decarbonise, many of which are already in development following the 2021 Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy.
Switch to LED lighting
Much of the industrial sector still relies on inefficient lighting methods such as High Pressure Sodium, Metal Halide, and Fluorescents, despite cost-effective and energy efficient alternatives existing. LED lighting has become commonplace in many commercial and residential appliances, and making the switch to LEDs has the potential to lower industries’ energy consumption by up to 90% and result in a 66% carbon reduction.
Use local resources instead of international supply chains
Shipping is one of the largest sources of carbon emissions in the world, and is responsible for 75% of industrial emissions. Industries can significantly reduce their emissions by relying on more local suppliers to shorten shipping routes, and using different transport methods rather than the typical high polluting lorries and cargo ships.
Use low-carbon fuel sources
The government’s Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy has set out an agenda to replace fossil fuels with low carbon alternatives including hydrogen, electrification, and bioenergy by 2030. The goal is to have 20 TWh of fossil fuel replaced with low carbon alternatives every year by 2030, which will facilitate achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Implement Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS)
As we have written about before, the UK will not be able to achieve net-zero emissions without the use of CCUS, and industries need to work with the government to set up a CCUS supply chain across the nation and grow an international market to incorporate industrial CCUS into a wider network of carbon trade.
