JOURNAL: Life cycle environmental trade-off of decarbonising UK industrial clusters — A cradle to gate approach
Summary
Authors:
Jasmin Cooper
Adam Hawkes
Imperial College London
Life cycle environmental trade-off of decarbonising UK industrial clusters — A cradle to gate approach
December 2024
This study compares different decarbonisation pathways for ammonia, cement, methanol and steel produced in the UK, to determine whether decarbonising could result in unintended environmental consequences. To determine this, life cycle assessment was applied to compare 267 different pathways to the conventional (fossil fuel) baseline. This study finds that, although most reduce emissions, they can also lead to higher impacts on metal resources and ecosystems. The findings highlight the need to consider unintended consequences when planning greener industrial solutions.