Emissions Unleashed

The report analyzes 118 planned petrochemical projects in the US, finding that they could add 153.8 MMT of annual CO2e emissions, equivalent to nearly 40 coal plants. It highlights that a small number of megaprojects drive the majority of these emissions, with ammonia production being a primary contributor. The document argues that carbon capture and storage (CCS) is an ineffective solution used to justify fossil-fuel-based expansion, often supported by federal subsidies. It also notes that the buildout is concentrated in disadvantaged communities in the Gulf Coast and Appalachia, worsening environmental racism.

• The planned petrochemical buildout in the United States could add 153.8 MMT of annual CO2e emissions, which represents an additional 2.4% of current US greenhouse gas emissions and is equivalent to the annual emissions of nearly forty coal power plants.
• A small number of 'megaprojects' are responsible for the bulk of the projected emissions; the ten largest projects account for more than half of the potential emissions, and the twenty largest account for three-quarters.
• Ammonia production is the most significant driver of the buildout, with planned new capacity of 54.5 MMT, which would nearly quadruple current US ammonia production.
• Despite being marketed as 'green' or 'low-carbon' shipping fuels, up to 95% of planned US ammonia production capacity is based on methane (fossil gas).
• Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is characterized as a failure that cannot address the full life-cycle of emissions; even under optimistic claims, it could only be applied to approximately 60% of life-cycle emissions for proposed facilities.
• The petrochemical buildout is heavily concentrated in the Gulf Coast (specifically Texas and Louisiana) and Appalachia, predominantly within 'officially disadvantaged communities' and areas like 'Cancer Alley' where environmental racism is prevalent.
• Approximately 30% of potential buildout emissions come from projects currently on hold, with nearly 60% of planned plastic production projects paused due to market forces and local opposition.
• The report identifies significant data gaps, noting that production estimates were only available for 74 of the 118 proposed facilities, and suggests that actual methane leakage rates are likely three times higher than the 0.9% used in the GREET model.

APA

Center for International Environmental Law (n.d.). Emissions Unleashed. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Emissioned-Unleashed_The-Climate-Crisis-and-Americas-Petrochemical-Boom.pdf

Chicago

Center for International Environmental Law. Emissions Unleashed. n.d. https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Emissioned-Unleashed_The-Climate-Crisis-and-Americas-Petrochemical-Boom.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Center for International Environmental Law |title=Emissions Unleashed |url=https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Emissioned-Unleashed_The-Climate-Crisis-and-Americas-Petrochemical-Boom.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{centerforinternationalenvironmentallawndemissions, author = {{Center for International Environmental Law}}, title = {{Emissions Unleashed}}, institution = {Center for International Environmental Law}, url = {https://www.ciel.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Emissioned-Unleashed_The-Climate-Crisis-and-Americas-Petrochemical-Boom.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }