Turning just these eight industries green would put a major dent in greenhouse gas emissions

Much of the focus in reducing carbon emissions has been on power generation and transportation, and with good reason. These two concentrated sectors are the largest contributors to greenhouse gases. In 2021, transportation and electric power generation were responsible for 28% and 25% of greenhouse gas emissions respectively.

Yet, at 21%, industry is a close third. However, challenge with industry is it is comprised of various disparate sectors. Still, just eight of those sectors are responsible for 61% of GHG emissions.

The share of that 61% for each of the eight sectors is as follows:

• Chemicals: 35.5%
• Refining: 27.4%
• Iron & Steel: 11.3%
• Food & Beverage: 9.6%
• Cement: 7.8%
• Pulp & paper: 5.4%
• Aluminum: 1.8%
• Glass: 1.2%

Efforts to decarbonize the cement, steel and aluminum industries are gaining traction. Now we need to address refining and chemicals – no easy task.