The Chemical Industries Association today (Monday 5 October) challenged the Conservative Party to show that manufacturing has a place in the UK economy if they are elected.
In a speech to Party members at the Conservative Conference Steve Elliott, CIA Chief Executive highlighted the important role the industry has in the transition to a rebalanced low carbon economy.
Elliott referred to a recent independent report that found that for every 1 unit of Carbon Dioxide or equivalent greenhouse gas (CO2e) emitted in chemical industry production processes the resulting products save 2-3 units of CO2e emissions and that this could increase to a ratio of 1:4 in 20 years if the UN climate change conference in Copenhagen produces an agreement on a global framework for carbon trading.
Elliott also pointed out the economic significance of the industry noting that "chemical and pharmaceutical businesses have contributed £20 million to the UK's balance of trade every day for the past decade and provide (directly and indirectly) 600,000 high quality skilled jobs".
He will challenge the Conservative Party to make sure manufacturing and the chemical industry underpins their economic and green agenda and is championed as a key part of the UK's future.
Contact Name: Fiona Ferguson