BLOG – The pandemic, climate change, plastic waste and the great divide: the world in 2025

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–Click here to see the latest blog post on Asian Chemical Connections by John Richardson.

The World Health Organisation called for last week’s G7 meeting in Cornwall, the UK, to provide 11bn doses of vaccine to the developing world. But the meeting has only agreed to provide 1bn doses.

The developing world also faces many other challenges, including the high cost of finance and lack of infrastructure. Without urgent action, the scenario below – which we detail in the blog today –  is at significant risk of happening.

It is 2025. Developed world oil, gas and petrochemicals companies reduced greenhouse gas emissions and have made big investments in plastics recycling.

National Oil Companies (NOC) have built lots more crackers and reformers in developing countries with fewer or no restrictions on emissions. Building new old-style plants serves three purposes:

1.) Meeting the huge growth in demand as millions more poorer people, quite rightly, win access to the products and services the rich world takes for granted.

2.) The developing world needs new industrial projects to boost growth following the economic devastation of the pandemic.

3.) As the developed world pushes ahead with electrifying transportation, petrochemicals are helping NOCs compensate for lost oil demand.

Nothing has been done to build adequate rubbish collection systems for the 3bn people who lack such systems. Levels of greenhouse gases continue to rise, as does plastic waste in the oceans.

Editor’s note: This blog post is an opinion piece. The views expressed are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent those of ICIS.