IChemE opens member consultation on climate change position

ICHEME has launched a draft climate change position statement for members to comment on.

Members are being asked to provide feedback on the principles and commitments contained within the statement, including the target for IChemE to reduce its own organisational carbon footprint to net zero by 2025.

IChemE’s position states that climate change is exacerbated by human activities; it supports the aims of the Paris Agreement to pursue efforts to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C relative to pre-industrial levels; and endorses the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address climate change, and end all forms of poverty and inequality while making sure that no one is left behind.

“This means that the actions of chemical engineers should minimise impact and not shift impact elsewhere – either geographically, socially, economically, or environmentally,” the statement reads.

Mark Apsey, Chair of the IChemE Energy Centre, said: “I’m delighted that we have now launched the consultation for climate change. IChemE members are critically aware of the importance of climate change and that in order to serve society we must take concrete action to equip members with the knowledge and skills to meet the challenges ahead.

“Chemical, biochemical and process engineers are heavily involved in the industries and sectors that contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, yet we are in the unique position of having the specialist knowledge and expertise to address the challenges represented by climate change.

“With the breadth of knowledge held by IChemE members I am looking forward to receiving input from all those with observations on this important topic.”

The consultation is open to all IChemE members until 28 August using the feedback form sent via email or using the link posted on the IChemE members’ forum, Interface. Members will need to log in to their MyIChemE account on the website to access Interface.

Read the draft statement here.

Responses will be reviewed on a regional basis by IChemE’s member groups, and on a technical or sector basis by the special interest groups, before being collated by the Institution’s Climate Change Task Group. The final IChemE climate change position statement will be published in Q4 2020 and IChemE expects that it will be supported by a detailed action plan which will be reviewed and reported on each year.