Author:

Keywords:

Soda ash, EU, climate change, climate policy, response measures, competition, chemicals

Abstract:

This case study is part of the project entitled “Climate for Sustainable Growth“ and focuses on the energy intensive sector of soda ash. Soda ash is a chemical product used in the production of glass, detergents as well as in other chemicals. This study examines whether climate change policies that impact the soda ash sector are being put in place in a sustainable way, by identifying their impacts on the three dimensions of sustainable development: 1) economic 2) social and 3) environmental. This understanding is critical for the speed with which mitigation measures can be implemented, for the buy-in they receive from stakeholders and for ensuring that they meet the conditions for sustainable development, which implies there is progress on all three dimensions in a harmonious way. This study looks at the positive as well as negative, both intended and unintended, impacts of climate change mitigation policies and projects. Given the broad scope of the topic, this study focusses on climate change mitigation policies in the EU, and more specifically the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS).