2022-10-18-ITIF-化学工业脱碳_PVC案例研究的政策视角_15页_261kb

Decarbonizing the Chemical Industry: Policy Insights from PVC

DAVID M. HART, OCTOBER 2022

Key Findings

• Polyvinyl chloride (PVC), the third-largest plastic material by volume in the U.S., is a prime example of decarbonization challenges and opportunities in the chemical industry.
• The “Pathways” study demonstrates that the PVC value chain could achieve an 80-90% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2050 using near-mature technologies with minimal incremental costs.

Policy Recommendations

Near-Term (Immediate Action)

1. Demonstration Projects: Support demonstration projects to assess decarbonization technologies at commercial scale.
2. Infrastructure Development: Fund initial infrastructure for CO₂ and hydrogen pipelines.

Medium-Term

1. Incentives for Adoption: Use tax credits or contracts for difference to encourage early adoption of decarbonization technologies.
2. Clean Procurement: Implement low-carbon PVC standards for federally funded projects, despite implementation challenges.

Long-Term

1. Carbon Pricing: Adopt a predictable, rising carbon price to drive widespread adoption of abatement technologies.
2. Air Pollution Regulations: Use point-source air regulations as an alternative to carbon pricing.
3. Trade Policies: Implement border adjustments or export incentives to level the playing field for U.S. producers.

Broader Context

• The PVC study highlights the interconnectedness of chemical value chains, emphasizing that decarbonizing one sector requires broader industry reconfiguration.
• Policies must be sequenced strategically, prioritizing demonstration and infrastructure deployment before stringent long-term measures.

Conclusion

Decarbonizing the chemical industry is a complex but essential task for meeting net-zero goals. The PVC case study underscores the need for a phased policy approach, combining immediate support, medium-term incentives, and long-term regulatory mechanisms.