The Governor’s Climate Initiatives Task Force met on October 9 and October 19, 2021 to take a broad look at industrial decarbonization methods of implementation and available tools, focusing heavily on challenges and benefits specific to Louisiana.  Highlighted topics such as the complexities of our chemicals industry; Louisiana’s unique vulnerability to sea level rise, extreme heat, and extreme rainfall as a direct result of climate change; and Federal and State policies and goals of industrial decarbonization were brought to the forefront and discussed in detail between panel members and attendees.  Here are the top 5 takeaways:

1. Industrial emissions account for 2/3 of total emissions in Louisiana -- the highest proportion for any state. 

Our highest GHG emissions in this sector come from chemical manufacturing and petroleum products. There are many realistic strategies and available technologies for reducing CO2 emissions from this sector, including improved energy efficiency, energy substitutions, low-carbon fuels and feedstock, and technological and process changes.

2. Climate change is having devastating impacts on socially and economically vulnerable communities.

Natural disasters such as hurricanes and extreme flooding paired with higher temperatures and a diminishing coastline have severely impacted coastal and economically vulnerable communities, and will continue to do so unless we tackle the issues these areas are facing now. 

3. The future is increasingly renewable, and the renewables coming online are cheaper than fossil fuels.

In 2020, 70% of planned utility scale electricity generating capacity additions were renewable. Only 16% were from fossil fuels. In the first half of 2021, renewables made up 92% of new generating capacity in the U.S. [1]  It’s now cheaper to build and operate new large-scale wind or solar plants in nearly half the world than it would be to run an existing coal or gas-fired power plant. [2] 

This raises the question, “How much does a commitment to CCUS increase exposure to stranded assets?” CCUS is only economical with significant public subsidy. If we commit to CCUS, how do we determine where it makes more sense over the long-term. 

From Carroll Muffet's presentation to the Louisiana Climate Initiatives Task Force on October 19, 2021.

4. We need viable, adaptable solutions that focus on economic vitality, investment and funding procurement, mitigation of potential infrastructure challenges, and people-centric planning.

“We shouldn’t worry about perfect solutions for a decade hence- we need to eliminate tons now with commercial technologies presently available, applicable to industrial conditions in Louisiana, and that are economic under current policies in Louisiana.” -Jeffery D. Brown, Presentation for Industrial Decarbonization Panel Oct. 2021

5. Our unique vulnerability has “poised [us] to be a leader in addressing how we go about limiting the worst of these impacts.” - Dr. Rachel Cleetus, Presentation for Industrial Decarbonization Panel Oct. 2021

Louisiana’s top asset is its people. We cannot do this without the willingness of the people to learn, engage, implement, and support climate change mitigation efforts. We also need to ensure that people have what they need to make changes and be resilient and that no one is left behind as we transition to a climate-friendly economy. It will take the combined effort of our scholars, teachers, workers, industrial market leaders, government officials, non-profit organizations, firms, scientists, and everyone in between to help preserve the special beauty and culture of Louisiana and propel it toward a sustainable, resilient future.

If you’d like to learn more about the Governor’s Climate Initiative Task Force and its mission, go to https://gov.louisiana.gov/page/climate-initiatives-task-force.

Register to attend our award-winning, annual Virtual Smart Growth Summit to continue this climate conversation and more at www.summit.cpex.org/-registration-2021.