Petrochemicals are a triple threat to climate progress, public health, and the environment.
The petrochemical industry and its products are responsible for 10% of the world’s carbon emissions, a proportion only expected to increase as energy markets shift towards renewables. By 2050 the petrochemical and refinery industry would account for nearly half of the growth in oil demand and nearly 15% of the total U.S. carbon budget – making it impossible for the U.S. to limit global warming to 1.5°C by 2050.
Pollution from petrochemical plants has also turned entire communities into “sacrifice zones,” exposing nearby households to toxic emissions, driving up rates of cancer, respiratory disease, and other life-threatening conditions. These exposures disproportionately impact people of color and low-income communities in Louisiana, Texas, and the Ohio River Valley – the hubs of petrochemical manufacturing in the United States.
Stopping the expansion.
In our first year, Beyond Petrochemicals and its partners have stopped five new petrochemical projects from moving forward, averting 17 million tons of potential carbon emissions. We’re grateful for the support of our grantees and community advocates on the frontlines of this work in Louisiana, Texas, and the Ohio River Valley. We look forward to sharing more progress on our mission to put people over pollution.
A Toxic Presence in Our Daily Lives
There is no place on earth untouched by petrochemical pollution, from the peaks of the world’s tallest mountains to the depths of the Mariana trench. This pollution disrupts fragile food chains and threatens ecosystem resiliency.
As the petrochemical demand grows, frontline communities and the planet are now faced with plans for a massive expansion of new plants.
Path to success
Community Leadership
Resource and empower community advocates in the target regions of Louisiana, Texas and the Ohio River Valley to accelerate cross-cultural grassroots power to challenge industrial buildout and enforce environmental policies in their own backyards.
Data and Research
Fund necessary studies and deliver accurate data and expert analysis to government and financial decision makers to help advance swift, decisive actions, as well leverage new innovations in data and analytics to provide real time monitoring of health, climate, and environmental impacts.
Legislation and Litigation
Use the power of the law to protect public health and the climate, including engaging a diverse array of experts and approaches, educating decision-makers about the harms of petrochemical pollution, and advancing environmental policies.
Stakeholder Engagement
Engage with the general public and private sector to improve enforcement of regulations and reduce demand for unnecessary plastic and petrochemical products.