LyondellBasell is working to reduce our operational CO2 footprint and collaborating with our value chain partners to deliver more sustainable solutions, products and technologies to the market. Our climate-related goals are support the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and the transition to a low-carbon economy. You can find out more about our targets by visiting our page here.
We currently use the CDP Climate Change framework to report our climate risks and impacts, and have expanded our approach using the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations in 2021. TCFD provides a framework to further strengthen governance, create strategy, assess risk and establish metrics that will guide our efforts as we strive to improve our sustainability.
Beyond our operations, we aim to develop a range of products that contribute to a low-carbon economy through their use or how they are manufactured.
Products that lower GHG emissions across the life cycle
In 2019, LyondellBasell achieved the first parallel production of polypropylene and low-density polyethylene made from renewable raw materials, including bio-based wastes and residue oils, as an alternative to fossil-derived resources. These renewable-based polymers are branded under our family of sustainable solutions called Circulen. An independently reviewed life cycle assessment study demonstrated that the carbon footprint of these polymers is reduced by up to 75% when compared with a fossil-based polymer.
We also offer products that help avoid emissions during their use phase. Our innovative low-density materials help make cars lighter, and our oxyfuels improve fuel efficiency and reduce vehicle emissions including GHGs.
Energy efficiency and fuel switching
We are evaluating and deploying solutions at our most energy intensive manufacturing sites to reduce carbon emissions, including the use of lower carbon-intensive fuels and process, and energy optimization. In 2020, we expanded our assessment of flare systems at our major sites with the aim of optimizing our product recovery rates in flare gas recovery systems, minimizing steam and optimizing supplemental gas associated with flare operations. Projects implemented in our European and U.S. sites in 2020 resulted in a reduction in energy use of 1.27 million gigajoules and associated emissions reduction of approximately 79,500 metric tons of CO2 .
Securing a reliable supply of renewable energy
Increasing our use of renewable energy, both generated onsite and purchased from off-site projects, is an opportunity we continue to explore. Where it is feasible, we are looking to develop our on-site renewable energy production capacity. For example, installation of a 7-megawatt solar park is underway at our Tarragona site in Spain. And we are evaluating opportunities to capture the benefits of large-scale off-site wind and solar resources in the U.S. and Europe.
Emerging technologies
We are confident in the role emerging technologies will play in the reduction of GHG emissions in the chemical sector. Technologies such as carbon capture, storage and utilization (CCSU), process electrification, green hydrogen, and waste streams valorization, have the potential to drive the transformational changes needed to enable larger-scale reductions in emissions. We recognize the importance of active collaboration with our value chain partners in achieving the necessary development and scaleup of these technologies to reduce our carbon footprint.
Transportation
The transport of raw materials across our supply chain provides another opportunity to reduce GHG emissions. We are engaged in an industry consortium led by Cefic, the European Chemical Industry Council, and the Smart Freight Centre to develop a practical methodology to better account for GHG emissions from our logistics operations. We are also working with our transportation partners to identify low-carbon solutions for the transport of raw materials and products.
To learn more about our sustainability efforts, visit our page here.
