9. INDUSTRY, INNOVATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Chairman Carper’s Opening Statement: Hearing on Industrial Decarbonization Opportunities

Chairman Carper’s Opening Statement: Hearing on Industrial Decarbonization Opportunities
Written by ZJbTFBGJ2T

Chairman Carper’s Opening Statement: Hearing on Industrial Decarbonization Opportunities  US Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works

Chairman Carper’s Opening Statement: Hearing on Industrial Decarbonization Opportunities

Decarbonizing Heavy Industry: Opportunities and Challenges

Opening Statement by Chairman Tom Carper

On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee held a hearing to explore opportunities for decarbonizing heavy industry, the third largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in our nation’s economy.

Today’s hearing is focused on the next frontier of tackling the climate crisis – decarbonizing the industrial sector of our economy.

The urgency of addressing climate change and the benefits of doing so were underscored in the fifth National Climate Assessment issued by the Biden Administration yesterday. The report highlighted that the United States now experiences one billion-dollar disaster every three weeks, compared to one every four months in the 1980s. It also emphasized the need to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Reducing industrial emissions is crucial in our efforts to combat climate change. The industrial sector is responsible for nearly one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions and is the third largest source of emissions in the United States, following the transportation and power sectors. By 2030, it is projected to become the largest domestic source of greenhouse gas emissions.

Decarbonizing the industrial sector presents challenges due to the diverse industrial processes involved in manufacturing various goods and materials. There is no one-size-fits-all approach; instead, a variety of different technologies and process changes must be deployed.

However, within these challenges lie significant opportunities. Decarbonizing industrial emissions not only helps us achieve our climate goals but also presents opportunities to invest in American industry and enhance our nation’s economic competitiveness. By producing materials in cleaner ways, we can reduce emissions throughout supply chains and support the clean energy transition by investing in industries that produce lower carbon materials for buildings, roads, and electric vehicles.

Progress is already being made in decarbonizing the industrial sector, thanks to investments made by Congress in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. The establishment of the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations and the Industrial Demonstrations Program, funded with $6.3 billion, has played a significant role in this progress. Additionally, $8 billion has been allocated for the development of regional clean hydrogen hubs, creating job opportunities and ensuring a reliable supply of clean hydrogen for transportation, industrial processes, and power generation.

The federal government, as the largest purchaser of materials in the world, has a unique opportunity to drive demand for low-embodied carbon materials through federal procurement. The Inflation Reduction Act includes over $5 billion for the Federal Highway Administration and the General Services Administration to purchase materials made with lower carbon emissions. Furthermore, funding has been allocated to the EPA to enhance our understanding of the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of various construction materials and products.

Supporting American ingenuity and innovators is crucial in creating cleaner goods domestically. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions while continuing to manufacture essential materials like steel, aluminum, and concrete, we can enhance American industry’s competitiveness on the global stage, address climate pollution, and create well-paying jobs.

Collaboration across sectors and stakeholders is essential in achieving these goals. Industry leaders, innovative start-ups, government agencies, environmental organizations, and academia must all work together.

This hearing aims to deepen our committee’s understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with decarbonizing heavy industry. We look forward to hearing from our panel of knowledgeable witnesses and engaging in a productive and spirited discussion.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Targets Indicators
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix No specific indicators mentioned in the article
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable No specific indicators mentioned in the article
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities No specific indicators mentioned in the article
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources No specific indicators mentioned in the article
SDG 13: Climate Action 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning No specific indicators mentioned in the article
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development No specific indicators mentioned in the article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

  • SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
  • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • SDG 13: Climate Action
  • SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to these SDGs because they discuss the need to decarbonize heavy industry, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable practices in various sectors.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

  • Target 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
  • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable
  • Target 11.6: Reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities
  • Target 12.2: Achieve sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
  • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
  • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development

The article mentions the need to reduce industrial emissions, invest in clean energy technologies, and promote the use of low-embodied carbon materials, which align with these targets.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article. However, progress towards the identified targets can be measured through indicators such as the percentage of renewable energy in the global energy mix, the number of industries that have been retrofitted to reduce emissions, the per capita environmental impact of cities, the efficiency of natural resource use, the integration of climate change measures in policies and planning, and the level of collaboration and partnerships for sustainable development.

Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.

Source: epw.senate.gov

 

Delhi air pollution | Air quality in capital inches closer to ‘severe’ category

Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.

 

About the author

ZJbTFBGJ2T