Safety


33


unit and are fed into the existing site safety infrastructure that includes Drager Polytron point and fl ame detectors, all feeding into a common SCADA system.


Thanks to MetCam’s large fi eld of view, only 2 units are needed to monitor the entire critical asset. One unit is installed on a pole 40 meters away from the valve array. The second MetCam is installed above the valves, about 15 meters up.


Following installation, MetCam was set with 2 thresholds for alarms, determined by the size, density and persistence required for a fugitive gas cloud to accumulate into a potentially explosive cloud. Once an alarm triggers, an event is created and stored on the internal memory, allowing the operator the option to investigate the causes for the safety event.


By leveraging the capabilities of optical gas imaging for safety applications, LNG terminal operators can accelerate their detection and response time to gas leaks, enhancing site safety and securing continuenous operational conditions.


To learn more about Optical Gas Imaging solutions, please visit us at www.cisensing.com


First MetCam location Second MetCam location (1) Data source: https://www.gie.eu/transparency/databases/lng-database/


Author Contact Details Daniel Mellick, Business Development Manager, CI Sensing


Coverage of MetCam installed above the valves Coverage by MetCam installed 40 meters away • Web: www.cisensing.com


Is plastic manufacturing driving climate change more than coal? TALKING POINT


In 2021, the Beyond Plastics Alliance outlined the alarming reality that plastics were rapidly overtaking coal as a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. Derived from fossil fuels, plastic emits signifi cant amounts of carbon dioxide and methane throughout its life cycle—especially during production, use, and disposal.


The report estimates that the U.S. plastics industry alone is responsible for at least 232 million tons of CO2-equivalent emissions each year, an amount comparable to the emissions from 116 coal-fi red power plants. If current trends continue, by 2030, plastics could surpass coal in their contribution to global warming. This shift comes at a time when global energy markets are transitioning away from coal, leaving the fossil fuel industry increasingly reliant on plastic production as a new revenue stream.


One of the key fi ndings of the report is that the impact of plastics on the environment is grossly underestimated. Emissions from the plastics industry are not only vast but also expected to rise. Since 2019, 42 new plastics production facilities have been built, are under construction, or are in the permitting process. These new plants are projected to increase annual emissions by another 55 million tons by 2025, equal to 27 additional coal-fi red power plants.


Moreover, the report highlights how the harmful effects of plastic production are disproportionately felt by low-income communities and communities of color. More than 90% of the climate pollution generated by U.S. plastics manufacturing occurs in just 18 communities, primarily located in Texas and Louisiana. Residents of these areas, often termed “sacrifi ce zones,” experience higher levels of pollution and associated health risks, such as respiratory diseases and cancer. People


living near petrochemical plants tend to earn less and are more likely to be people of color, further compounding the environmental injustice of plastic production.


Another disturbing aspect discussed is the industry’s push for “chemical recycling.” This method is often touted as an advanced solution for managing plastic waste, but the report reveals that it is little more than a rebranding of incineration. Rather than turning plastic into reusable materials, chemical recycling processes largely convert plastic waste into fuels that are then burned, releasing more greenhouse gases. Far from being a climate solution, this practice worsens the problem by perpetuating plastic production and disposal.


The report also exposes the hidden climate cost of plastic waste incineration. In 2020 alone, incinerating plastic waste in municipal waste facilities released approximately 15 million tons of CO2-equivalent emissions. As the volume of plastic in the waste stream increases, so will the emissions from incineration.


Since 2021, the relationship between plastic production and climate change has continued to worsen, with plastics becoming a signifi cant contributor to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Recent data from reports in 2024 show that plastic production, use, and waste management now account for about 4% of total global emissions. This is a considerable increase compared to earlier years, where the contribution was less emphasized. Experts predict that if the current trend continues, plastics could account for up to 19% of global GHG emissions by 2040.


A key driver of these emissions is the lifecycle of plastics, with 99% of plastics still being produced from fossil fuels. Only


1–1.5% are derived from bio-based sources, while less than 10% of plastics are recycled. This reliance on fossil fuels for plastic production makes it a critical issue in both climate change and environmental pollution. Furthermore, plastics contribute to GHG emissions not only during production but also during disposal, with incineration and landfi lls emitting substantial amounts of CO2 and methane.


Global action is underway to address this crisis. In 2022, the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) initiated a legally binding global treaty to end plastic pollution, which is expected to be fi nalized by the end of 2024. This agreement aims to address the full lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal, by encouraging a circular economy. If successfully implemented, this treaty could reduce plastic pollution by 80% by 2040, cut GHG emissions, and create new jobs, particularly in waste management and recycling sectors in the Global South.


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