Heavy Industry 101

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Heavy industry, which includes steel, chemical, oil, cement, and aerospace, produces items that are essential for daily life. Moreover, these industries are economic powerhouses and cornerstones for global trade. 

While economically important, heavy industry is also one of the leading CO2-emitting sectors of both the domestic and global economy. Globally, industry accounts for about 19% of direct greenhouse gas emissions and 33% of total emissions when supply chains are considered. Due to the versatility and importance of the products that these industries produce, lowering the adverse environmental impacts of heavy industry while maintaining economic competitiveness is essential to reaching overall climate objectives. 

Fact vs. Myth

  • FACT: Heavy industries are heavy carbon emitters. 
  • MYTH: Targeting solely the domestic production of heavy industries in the U.S. will significantly lower global emissions.
    • While domestic emissions reductions are important, heavy industry is global by nature, so solutions must also be global. Heavy-handed domestic regulations would weaken U.S. competitiveness while providing few climate benefits. 
  • FACT: Progress from heavy industries is essential to reaching climate goals.

The importance of heavy industry

  • Heavy industry is essential for economic growth.
  • Heavy industry powers our daily lives. 
    • Petroleum fuels our cars, is used in clothing, and creates healthcare products
    • Fertilizers produced from our chemical industry are important for food supply. 
    • Our chemical industry also produces daily-use items such as detergents, toothpaste, and cleaning products. 
    • Steel is vital for the construction of everything from cars and ships to buildings and appliances, as well as materials critical for our national defense. 
    • Cement is a critical input for a wide range of infrastructure applications. It’s used in homes, schools, hospitals, roads, bridges, dams, sidewalks.

Markets vs Mandates

How to Further Decarbonise Heavy Industries

  • Given the global importance of heavy industries, solutions must be global and domestic.
  • Domestically: 
    • Reform regulations such as New Source Review, which disincentivize updates and investments in newer, more environmentally-friendly technologies. 
    • Through the Department of Energy, invest in emissions reductions technologies such as carbon capture and storage
    • Empower the private-sector to continue voluntarily reducing emissions. 
  • Globally: 
    • Eliminate unnecessary tariffs to allow global free trade. 
      • Global trade reduces cost for consumers, expands customer bases for American companies and allows countries to more freely trade with partners who share similar environmental goals.
    • Engage in multilateral and bilateral trade agreements to facilitate trade that benefits American families and the environment.

Summary: 

  • Emissions reductions from heavy industries will be a critical component to meeting any global climate objectives.
  • Due to the nature of these industries, climate solutions must be global and domestic. 
  • By reducing harmful domestic regulations, opening up global trade, and allowing the private sector to continue its environmental progress, we can reduce the environmental impact of heavy industries while maintaining American competitiveness. 
Done in partnership with the American Conservation Coalition (ACC).

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