When we think about responding to the climate crisis, transitioning our energy systems away from oil and gas has always been clear. But what about investment in petrochemicals? Petrochemicals are fossil-fuel-derived substances – they’re used to produce a range of synthetic materials and substances, including plastics and fertilisers. Not only are they heavily reliant on fossil fuels, but they have the highest energy demand of all industrial sectors, and will likely override l

In short: Ammonia is unique among petrochemicals – its molecule contains no carbon, yet more than 99% of ammonia is produced using fossil fuels. It is the foundation of industrial agriculture but also generates enormous greenhouse gas emissions and locks food production into fossil fuel supply chains. Instead of decreasing our reliance on ammonia, the industry is seeking new markets by promoting ammonia as a "green" fuel for shipping and power generation. This article explore

In response to recent attacks by the US-Israel alliance, Iran restricted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Before the war, around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas passed through this route. This shipping restriction disrupted energy supply chains and led to a big increase in global oil prices. So what’s the connection with plastic? Oil and gas aren’t only burnt as fuel for energy. They are used to make petrochemicals, which are manufactured into a wide range

Between 24 and 29 April, 57 countries participated in a historic conference on the Transition Away from Fossil Fuels, hosted in Santa Marta (Colombia), Participants discussed how to speed up the phaseout of fossil fuels, focusing on coordinated action rather than passive debate. This stands in opposition to the yearly UN climate conferences (COPs), which have discussed the transition but have not yet produced an action plan. While conferences and reports organised by the UN a

Chemical Recycling is the process of converting plastic waste into raw materials to make new plastic, helping reduce the need for fossil fuels - the feedstock of most plastics. Chemical Recycling initially appeared to be a promising solution to the plastic waste crisis, however, concerns are growing about its effectiveness, environmental impacts and economic sustainability. The Reality Behind the Technology Chemical Recycling is proving to be a costly gamble. The most co

The substantial water and energy consumption of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) usage is acknowledged by many in the scientific community, yet public awareness of the ecological impact of AI usage is remarkably small. While certain social stigmas surround its usage - namely how it facilitates laziness or lack of creativity by the user - discussions around how AI damages the environment are rare outside of scientific debates. GenAI works by using large-scale machine

As the sun sets in Africa, 600 million people do not have a light to turn on. Despite having 60 percent of the world’s best solar resources, and over 30 percent of the essential minerals required for the world’s renewable technologies, the continent has received less than two percent of global renewable investment. Energy is the key to African development, but the expansion of renewables goes beyond reliable energy as it is indispensable for both climate resilience, and the f

Since the start of the industrial revolution in the mid-1700s, fossil fuels have played a pivotal role in the expansion of our economies. The Western world has developed off the back of carbon intensive non-renewable resources, yet the consequences of these actions are becoming increasingly evident, and it is the poor who are set to pay the disproportionate price. Our warming climate is unequivocally linked to our preceding and continued use of fossil fuels, and the evidence

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INEOS is a chemical giant, in the top 5 of the world’s largest chemical producers. It relies on fracking to produce ethylene and other...

We can't all live our lives without planes in the sky, but what might we be able to change to have a lower impact? A longer read...

In this whiteboard animation video, Alexandre Magnin (Sustainability Illustrated) explains what we mean by circular economy, going...

A series of short animation videos from Sustainability Illustrated : Sustainability Strategy: Definition Backcasting Conditions of...