Steel, cement, chemicals: How industry heavyweights aim to become climate friendly
Industry’s CO2 output represents a sizeable share of total greenhouse gas emissions. The cement, steel and chemical industries account for the lion’s share:
- steel production is causing some seven per cent of global energy-related GHG emissions
- plastics production, a subsector of the chemical industry, emits around 130 million tonnes of CO2 per year in Europe – equal to Belgium’s entire annual emissions
However, reducing emissions from heavy industry is technically far more challenging than from the electricity or transport sectors. Whereas renewable power can be used directly as a substitute for fossil fuels in cars by switching to electric mobility, for example, the road to zero emissions is less straightforward in industrial sectors, such as steel, cement or chemicals. The key reason is the so-called process emissions, which are unavoidably generated in the very process of producing cement, steel or chemicals, such as ammonia.
As Europe’s largest economy and industrial powerhouse, Germany plays a central role in reducing emissions from heavy industry. The country is home to BASF, the world’s largest chemical company; to Heidelberg Cement, the globe’s second largest cement maker; and it also boasts Europe’s largest and most diversified steel industry. However, Germany presently lags behind other EU countries, such as Sweden, Austria or the Netherlands, in planning and implementing pilot projects for deep emissions cuts.
Our research tour for journalists will provide insights into the state of play of decarbonisation efforts in Germany’s cement, steel and chemical industries. In meetings with leading experts, policymakers, industry and trade union representatives, and during visits to industrial facilities and innovation projects we will:
- examine how various technologies can contribute to extensive reductions in industrial greenhouse gas emissions
- ask which market conditions and political tools will be required to develop the technologies and business models needed in the long term to ensure the transition to climate neutrality in today’s most emission-intensive industries
Frequently asked questions on logistics, documents and costs
The research tour is open for journalists from countries with significant shares of heavy industry.
By submitting your application, you agree that your name, medium, country of residence and e-mail address will appear on the list shared with all participants. Application is possible via the form on our website.
Please apply by clicking on the red 'Apply Here' button above. The deadline for applications is 26 July 2019. We will inform you of the outcome of your application no later than 8 August 2019. Please make sure to have access to your e-mail, and check the spam folder. If your application has been sucessful you will receive a confirmation e-mail from CLEW not later than 8 August. In that event please confirm your participation until 12 August. Otherwise we will give your place to another applicant.
Presentations during the workshop will be in English.
Participation in the research tour is free of charge. All expenses incurred during the tour, including food, accommodation, and transport, will be covered by Clean Energy Wire (up dated 19 July) starting with an overnight stay nearby Düsseldorf Central Station on Sunday 15 September night. The official programm will start on Monday early morning in Düsseldorf and will end on Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Hanover Central Station. Clean Energy Wire will also reimburse the costs of an overnight stay (economy class) from Wednesday to Thursday if your travel options force you to stay overnight.
Local transport during the tour will be organised by Clean Energy Wire. Participants are kindly asked to organise their own travel to and from Germany.
Participants are kindly asked to organise their own travel to and from Germany independently. (Updated 19 July) The official programme will start early in the morning on September 16th. As the tour will take the group to different places, ideally your arrival in Germany would be on Sunday, September 15 and with an overnight in a hotel nearby Duesseldorf Central Station. If you require a room from Sunday to Monday, please let us know. The official programm will end on Wednesday at 5 p.m. in Hanover Central Station. Clean Energy Wire will also reimburse the costs of an overnight stay (economy class) from Wednesday to Thursday if your travel options force you to stay overnight.
We would kindly ask you to make your own travel arrangements (economy class), which we will then reimburse after the research tour upon the submission of your receipts. If your application has been successful, we will send you a reimbursement form. Please bring the travel receipts and the form, printed and signed, to Germany. It is not possible to reimburse the travel expenses in cash. The earlier we receive all necessary documents, the earlier we can start the reimbursement process.
We do not reimburse visa fees or insurance costs.
Please apply by clicking on the red 'Apply Here' button above. The deadline for applications is 26 July 2019. We will inform you of the outcome of your application no later than 8 August 2019.
Please make sure to have access to your e-mail, and check the spam folder. If your application has been sucessful you will receive a confirmation e-mail from CLEW not later than 8 August. In that event please confirm your participation until 12 August. Otherwise we will give your place to another applicant.
If you would like us to provide you with a letter of invitation for your visa application, please send an e-mail to event@cleanenergywire.org. Please make sure you have a visa appointment at the embassy or consulate well before the research tour to leave enough time for processing your visa.
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Please check your spam folder for an automatically generated email, which asks you to confirm that you indeed submitted an application.
You will then hear from CLEW regarding the outcome of your application no later than 8 August 2019.
Don't hesitate to get in contact with our programme officer, Ms. Eva Freundorfer (event@cleanenergywire.org).