"When They Go Low, We Go High": The fight for industrial Hemp and a sustainable future

BP’s U-turn on its green policies yesterday was a wake-up call. While they revert to increased fossil fuel spending, we must focus on real, scalable solutions. Industrial hemp is a proven, high-yield feedstock for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) – capable of reducing lifecycle emissions by up to 80% – and its robust root systems sequester 9–13 tonnes of CO₂ per hectare (EIHA, 2024).

But the potential of hemp goes far beyond SAF. Hemp can also support green construction through materials like hempcrete, offering a low-carbon alternative that reduces building emissions by up to 40%, and drive innovations in energy solutions and sustainable bioplastics. Furthermore, by establishing a government-backed carbon credit framework, we can achieve cost parity with petrochemical alternatives, making these green solutions economically viable.

Now is the time for policymakers and industry leaders to invest in scaling hemp production, building processing infrastructure, and boosting R&D in SAF, sustainable construction, and energy innovations.

When they go low, we go high – let’s channel our inner Michelle Obama and push harder on industrial hemp for a resilient, sustainable future.

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