As surface temperatures rise and weather events increase in prominence and intensity, this is a defining era for the scientists, engineers and researchers who have dedicated their careers to developing creative solutions to combat the existential threats posed by climate change. Whether they are conducting research at universities or in laboratories, implementing solutions in large companies or developing solutions in startup or small-business environments, there is no shortage of dedicated people and teams who are working hard to bring to market inventions designed to help people, communities and businesses be more sustainable.
Honeywell
Human ingenuity has already led to innovations like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), carbon capture technologies, and automation solutions designed to help building operators manage their energy usage. This is the reason why I am optimistic that the world can reach net zero.
In addition to the work being done by scientists and engineers, both public and private-sector organizations have an active role to play in the journey to net zero. They need to adopt technologies that can be utilized now to meet their sustainability commitments and take steps to attract and retain talent focused on further developing energy transition-enabling inventions. Fighting climate change will require collective innovation, which is already underway.
Implementing available-now technologies
Many corporate leaders have set targets to reduce their carbon footprint in light of the Paris Agreement, and recent global climate events have highlighted the urgency to act sooner rather than later. According to the November release of Honeywell’s Environmental Sustainability Index (ESI), a survey encompassing over 750 global business leaders engaged in sustainability initiatives, the majority of respondents intend to make material changes to their environmental sustainability initiatives, spurred by this year’s weather events.
The ESI responses highlighted that the time to move on sustainability is now. There are already innovative solutions to flight climate change that do not require further development and are ready now to be implemented in various industries.
For example, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) can reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by as much as 88% compared to conventional aviation fuel depending on the feedstock used and does not require modifications to aircraft to be used.1 The International Air Transit Organization estimates that SAF could contribute around 65% of the emissions reduction needed for the aviation sector to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Today, planes can fly on a blend of 50% SAF and 50% conventional jet fuel. Increased capacity and more feedstock options are necessary to meet the industry’s net-zero goal and this is a major focus of current research and commercialization efforts. For example, this year we announced new ways to make SAF from ethanol and methanol, expanding the possible options for making SAF from cellulosic waste as well as fats oils and greases.
Carbon capture, utilization and sequestration (CCUS) technology development is accelerating worldwide, with about 40 commercial facilities in operation today, according to the International Energy Agency. This technology can be used to reduce CO2 emissions in hard-to-abate industries, such as power plants, iron and steel mills, and cement plants. Carbon capture technologies developed by Honeywell engineers already capture 15 million tons of CO2 per year, which is equivalent to the emissions of more than 3 million cars on the road.2
Commercial buildings make up more than 30% of global final energy consumption, according to the International Energy Agency. Automation solutions for buildings use software, advanced sensors, artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimize building operations and reduce energy consumption. This not only reduces fuel consumption but saves money, and we have guaranteed our customers $9.2 billion in savings from building energy efficiency projects.
Empowering today’s innovators and encouraging future talent
To make this innovation pipeline continue, it is vital that engineers and researchers at the forefront of sustainability solutions are recognized to retain and build future pipelines of talent who will continuously improve upon existing technologies. With science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) jobs projected to grow 15% between 2021 and 2031, early exposure to STEM concepts and skills can help spark interest in and inspire future innovators to pursue careers that matter to the energy transition.
One of the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2030 is “ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all,” and one target for that goal is ensuring that students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development.
Generally, teachers and students want to discuss climate change in the classroom – but more needs to be done to support educators. An EducationWeek survey of 538 US Kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers conducted in 2022 found that less than a third of respondents teach their students about the science behind climate change, citing a lack of resources and training.
Empowering teachers and equipping them with trusted resources on climate change and sustainability is a necessary step toward encouraging the next generation of climate scientists and inventors. It’s one reason why Honeywell is partnering with Discovery Education and other industry and nonprofit organizations to launch the Sustainability Education Coalition, which will provide resources for K-12 teachers and focus on a holistic approach to promote sustainability education.
Today’s talented technologists, as well as the early career engineers and scientists who are driven to solve the climate challenges they have inherited, make me optimistic that the world can reach the point where the carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere is equal to the greenhouse gases released into it.
Key to getting there as a society is adopting the solutions that are available today – instead of waiting for improvements in the future – and supporting current and up-and-coming scientists and innovators.
1 Reduced GHG emissions is based on UOP carbon intensity analysis, derived from a 3rd-party study of bio-methanol production from green hydrogen and CO2 captured from biomass processing, in comparison to fossil fuels.
2 Honeywell CO2 technology helps its customers annually capture an amount that is comparable to the GHG emissions of 3,232,038 gasoline powered passenger vehicles driven for one year.
