THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY

0,33

MB

64

stron

4367

ID

Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform

2002

rok

CONTENTS

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3

2 INTRODUCTION 6

2.1 Forum for the Future’s Role 6

2.2 Report Scope 7

2.3 Research Methodology 8

2.3.1 The Sustainability Matrix 9

2.3.2 The Five Capitals Model 9

2.4 Structure 11

3 THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY 12

3.1 Structure of the Industry 12

3.2 Sustainable Development as an Opportunity 13

4 CONCEPTUALISING A SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY 15

4.1 Presentation of Results 15

4.2 Common themes 15

4.2.1 Feedstocks 16

4.2.2 Energy 16

4.2.3 Toxicity 17

4.2.4 Heavy Metals 17

4.2.5 Education 17

4.2.6 Value Chain 17

4.2.7 Stakeholder dialogue 18

4.3 The Sustainability Matrix 20

4.3.1 Natural Capital 22

4.3.2 Human Capital 24

4.3.3 Social Capital 25

4.3.4 Manufactured Capital 26

4.3.5 Financial Capital 27

5 EXISTING PRACTICE 29

5.1 Determining A Baseline of Performance 29

5.2 Responsible Care 33

5.2.1 An Analysis of Responsible Care 33

5.2.2 Responsible Care and Sustainable Development 34

5.3 Priority Lists 35

5.4 Specific Examples of Good Practice 36

6 CONCLUSIONS 44

6.1 Establish a Vision 44

6.2 Establish a Strategic Framework for Decision Making 46

6.2.1 Dematerialisation & Technical Cycling 47

6.2.2 Chemical Use 47

6.2.3 Chemical Properties 48

6.3 Extend the Scope of Reporting 49

6.3.1 Individual business within the sector 49

6.4 Development Skills & Capacity Building Programmes 49

6.5 Support & Promote Proactive Public Policy 50

7 BIBLIOGRAPHY 51

7.1 Web Links 52

8 APPENDIX A: The Natural Step 53

8.1 Appendix A1; Biodegradability versus Durability 54

8.2 Appendix A2; Ecotoxicity and Precaution 60