The world is making rapid strides towards a cleaner future, with billions of dollars being invested in green energies. However, there’s an elephant in the room that needs to be addressed – the manufacturing process. Despite the progress made, manufacturing remains a resource-intensive and polluting process, posing a significant challenge to achieving a truly sustainable future.
First “Green” Steel Plant Secures $7 Billion in Financing
In a positive development, the world’s first large-scale “green” steel plant has secured approximately $7 billion in financing. This project, led by Stockholm-based H2 Green Steel, aims to produce 2.75 million tons of “near-zero” steel per year using clean hydrogen from renewable electricity. This initiative has received support from various international organizations, including the European Investment Bank, the Swedish Export Credit Corp., and Microsoft Climate Innovation Fund, among others.
The Emission Footprint
While the aviation industry has faced criticism for its carbon emissions, it’s essential to consider the broader spectrum of harmful emissions. The maritime industry, for instance, accounts for approximately 60% of global transportation emissions, making it the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions. Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas cruise ship https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-01-22/royal-caribbean-s-icon-of-the-seas-highlights-climate-impact-of-cruises serves as a case study, illustrating the immense energy consumption and record emissions produced by the maritime industry https://theicct.org/marine-cruising-flying-may22/.
A Call for Holistic Solutions
Addressing the root causes of pollution requires a holistic approach to sustainability. Bob Sharp and his team at STAX Technologies https://www.staxengineering.com/ are pioneering emission solutions that could help mitigate the negative impact of manufacturing. By adopting comprehensive strategies and embracing cutting-edge technologies https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-02-09/california-ports-of-long-beach-and-los-angeles-deploy-air-pollution-capture-tech , we can transition towards a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Cleaner Manufacturing is Next on the Sutainability Agenda
Manufacturing is the next frontier in the battle for sustainability. While progress has been made in reducing carbon emissions, it’s crucial to acknowledge the broader challenge of environmental protection. By investing in innovative solutions and adopting holistic approaches, we can create a cleaner, more sustainable future for generations to come.
Further reading: https://www.thefabricator.com/thefabricator/news/metalsmaterials/first-green-steel-plant-secures-7-billion-in-financing & https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-06-14/why-the-scope-of-carbon-emissions-is-hard-to-gauge-quicktake