Climate change is the greatest environmental challenge that we face today. As a result of our increased use of fossil fuels for transportation and the heating and cooling of buildings; growing levels of CO2 in the atmosphere are having disastrous effects for the environment, the economy and human wellbeing.
This issue is rightly front of mind for both European decisionmakers and citizens, who are increasingly calling for action. The European Union has committed itself through the EU Climate law and the EU Green deal to tackle the issue, aiming to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. The polyurethane industry is playing a leading role in achieving these objectives.
Polyurethanes can make a substantial difference in cutting CO2 emissions by reducing energy consumption and boosting energy efficiency, lowering the demand for fossil fuels in buildings, transportation, and appliances.
Polyurethanes help architects to better insulate buildings, which reduces the consumption of gas, oil and electricity that would otherwise be needed to heat and cool them.
Thanks to polyurethanes, automotive producers can design their vehicles more attractively and construct lighter frames which save on fuel consumption and emissions. Moreover, polyurethane foams are used to insulate refrigerators throughout the cold food chain.
From farm to fork, polyurethanes ensure that food is preserved longer and therefore are a significant factor in combating food waste – another leading contributor to climate change.