ATIEL & UEIL join unprecedented global cooperation for avoided emissions guidance review Prepared by Paul Booth, UKLA on behalf of the ATIEL & UEIL Joint Sustainability Committee
Representatives from the ATIEL & UEIL Joint Sustainability Committee (JSC) have joined forces with the American Petroleum Institute (API) and many other leading associations worldwide to address critical concerns over the recent World Business Council on Sustainable Development (WBCSD) 2023 Guidance on Avoided Emissions draft document.
In a groundbreaking effort, nine industry associations spanning the globe co-signed a letter to the WBCSD and this was submitted in mid-October through the API. This comprehensive response includes a request for the review and amendment of wording in the WBCSD’s draft guidance on avoided emissions where initial blanket statements regarding petrochemical based products could unintentionally prevent the use of the highest performing lubricant if it was petrochemical based even if the alternative non-petrochemical based product may not provide as good emission reduction in the overall application. Industry bodies argue that the proposed guidelines existing language could inadvertently stifle innovation in lubricants, hinder progress toward greater industrial efficiency, and negatively impact research and development (R&D) efforts. Furthermore, the inability to communicate avoided emissions from lubricant use in fossil fuel-based applications could hinder innovation and efficiency, slowing progress in the energy transition.
A link to the full API letter can be found here:
www.api.org/news-policy-and-issues/letters-or- comments/2024/10/29/api-letter-on-2023-wbcsd- guidance-on-avoided-emissions
To recap; the concept of avoided emissions refers to the reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions achieved by choosing one product or process over another. For the lubricants industry, these emissions are often tied to energy efficiency improvements, such as reduced friction or enhanced durability. However, a trend in policy may create unintended obstacles for manufacturers seeking to highlight the overall environmental benefits of the optimum product for
the application even if in some cases the formulation may be petrochemical based.
The submission of this letter marks an unprecedented level of unity of stakeholders within the sector. By speaking with one voice, the associations aim to ensure that policies on avoided emissions are both scientifically robust and supportive of innovation. This collaboration reflects the industry’s commitment to sustainability while balancing the practical realities of a diverse array of applications where lubricants are used.
The WBCSD has already issued an initial response to the submission via the API, signalling openness to further dialogue within a period of “open consultation” expected to commence in the next few months. This engagement paves the way to present a case for rewording the draft guidance and addressing concerns raised by the industry. By collaborating with stakeholders like the UEIL the WBCSD has an opportunity to create a framework that fosters innovation and supports global sustainability goals. Led by Joris Van der List members of the Downstream Working Group of ATEIL & UEIL JSC continue to monitor the situation closely on behalf of their associations. This will ensure we remain at the forefront of discussions and retain the opportunity to help shape this high-profile draft guidance for the reduction in overall emissions which is in turn likely to shape policy decisions of governments and organisations worldwide over the forthcoming decades in the response to climate change.
As discussions with the WBCSD progress, the lubricants industry will continue to champion policies that align with environmental objectives while enabling technological advancements. It is also hoped this collaboration may serve as a model for other industries striving to balance sustainability with innovation in an increasingly complex regulatory landscape.
www.ueil.org/sustainability
LUBE MAGAZINE NO.184 DECEMBER 2024
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