Research conducted by the Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change (CMCC Foundation), the Polytechnic University of Milan, and the Technical University of Berlin shows that Europe can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in heavy industries without harming employment or economic growth.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions Using Green Hydrogen
According to this study, the use of green hydrogen could lead to the production of steel and chemicals with less fossil fuel. If stringent emission reduction targets, requiring a 90% reduction by 2040, are to be met, most steel, ammonia, and methanol must be produced using green hydrogen.
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Challenges of the Cement Industry and Its Environmental Impact
The cement industry faces greater challenges due to carbon dioxide emissions in the production process. This study shows that greenhouse gas emissions in cement plants can be reduced using new technologies, although some critics doubt the effectiveness of these technologies on a large scale.
At the same time, the transition to green production will be costly. It is expected that by 2040, European industries will require significant investments in infrastructure and equipment, while costs will decrease by 2050, but Europe may be at risk in competition with regions that have cheaper renewable energy.
One solution could be to bring factories closer to renewable energy sources. This study indicates that relocating production to areas like Spain and northern countries can reduce electricity costs. However, this transition comes with challenges related to relocating factories and building new infrastructure.
Ultimately, importing some energy-intensive materials like ammonia and methanol could help reduce costs and allow companies to maintain the final stages of production in their existing factories in Europe. This strategy could help reduce Europe's dependence on domestic production, although this new dependence may carry its own specific risks.
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