Published date: 04 March 2022
Falkirk, Stirling & Clackmannanshire Councils are working together under the Forth Valley Region banner on their strategic economic development goals, focusing on the themes of Net Zero, Productive Innovation and Community Wealth Building – all of which align with our Road Map
As a key contributor to the local economy we were invited to contribute towards a short video for the launch of the Forth Valley Regional Economic Development Strategy - an on-line event explaining the Authorities’ Net Zero plans and their impact on the local economy.
Fronted by Ian Little, O&P UK site business development manager, the film provided us with an opportunity to explain to local businesses how we have reduced emissions across the INEOS businesses at Grangemouth by almost 40% since 2005, and that our Roadmap will see us deliver a 60% reduction by 2030.
The region is already benefitting from the construction activity underway for the New Energy Project (NEP). In the build up to NEP, an employment fair held with our contractors in Grangemouth Town Hall brought the traffic in the town to a standstill and with further investment in a low-carbon hydrogen production hub even more opportunity will be created for high value employment in design, construction and operation roles.
The clean hydrogen and power we will be producing will enable existing local industry to decarbonise their operations – delivering on Scotland’s ambitions to be carbon net zero by 2045. Moreover the low-carbon and new energy plant will be a facilitator for future investments, attracting other businesses who will see the Forth Valley region as a more attractive area for their investments.
“We have always understood the major beneficial impact our activity has on the local economy. This is only going to grow as we deliver our net zero plans,” says Ian Little. “Many companies looking for development land in the Forth Valley Region want to know how they can access low carbon utilities and feedstocks, - and INEOS will be able to provide these. Securing a sustainable future for manufacturing in Grangemouth for ourselves and others offers a positive future for everyone, especially young people in the region.”
Councillor Cecil Meiklejohn, leader of Falkirk Council, spoke during the event about its relationship with industry. “If we are to achieve a Just Transition to a net zero economy it is important for us to be working together. The companies we’ve seen during this event, including INEOS, are doing what the Forth Valley Region needs and we welcome their support.”
You can download a copy of the 2021 INEOS Sustainability Report here. The Report highlights INEOS' commitment to Net Zero, and puts our plans at Grangemouth into context, with references to a number of projects underway, including the Acorn Project.
Filming underway at INEOS HQ for the Forth Valley Regional Economy event