Ever growing carbon emissions and excessive fossil fuel use are undoubtedly one of the greatest engineering challenges that we need to overcome in the next two decades. Almost every type of material is tied in some way to fossil fuel. The summary of global climate action at COP28 in Dubai states: “A rapid decarbonization of the energy system is the key to keeping the goal of 1.5°C within reach. This requires accelerating clean energy transition both from the demand and supply side, while such transformation should be orderly, just and equitable and also account for energy security.”

A substantial portion of our materials manufacturing and transportation infrastructure will be difficult to decarbonize and will continue to use carbon as a key component. Let’s explore how multidisciplinary approaches will enable us to close the carbon cycle and create a circular carbon economy by defossilizing these difficult-to-electrify areas and those that will continue to need carbon. Can we develop carbon alternatives and enable the reuse of carbon to solve our challenges? Can we find new materials processing methods that utilize recycled carbon, enable intermediate- and high-temperature processing without fossil input, and enable a future petrochemical industry that utilizes a new renewable carbon molecular feedstock – “the new crude”?

I invite all material scientists to join us in developing the new materials required for carbon management and circularity and enable a truly circular carbon economy and net-zero carbon future.