Plastics and the climate change paradox
Event Details
When:28 April 2010, 12h30-14h00
Where: Members Salon, European Parliament
Contact: Rachel Hewett
Tel: +32 (0)2 285 0922
Email:rachel.hewett@dods.eu
This debate introduced a landmark new study, undertaken by independent Austrian sustainability consultancy Denkstatt and peer reviewed by respected life-cycle academics. The study provides the clearest picture yet of the CO2 emissions of alternative materials and their role in climate change. The study, funded by the European plastics industry identifies plastics' share of an individual’s carbon footprint and a lifecycle analysis of plastics compared to their alternatives in a range of key applications, such as packaging, transportation, building & construction and eco-product enablement e.g. solar panels, wind turbines.
The findings of the report indicate that evaluating products based on their production footprint can be counter-intuitive. The key to climate protection has to be based on the evaluation of products based on their whole life cycle.
The debate triggered reflection upon the validity of the current methodologies used to measure environmental impacts of materials and products.
Towards the Sustainable Management of Resources: the role of Life Cycle Assessment
Jakub Wejchert, PhD
Head of Sector C.2: Sustainable Production and Consumption, DG Environment, European Commission
Plastics Contribution to Climate Protection
Michel Loubry
Director, PlasticsEurope
