Industrial Manufacturing
The industrial sector is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. Addressing these emissions is crucial for achieving net zero goals and requires a combination of strategies across multiple areas of industrial operations.
Industry–which includes the production of materials like cement, steel, and chemicals, as well as the construction of buildings and infrastructure—is a significant and growing source of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These emissions come from both direct sources, such as the combustion of fossil fuels and chemical processes within manufacturing, and indirect sources, like the electricity and heat used to power industrial operations.
Reducing emissions in industrial manufacturing requires a broad suite of solutions. Reducing demand for industrial products through material efficiency, circularity and smarter design can reduce the need for new production. Improving energy efficiency cuts overall energy use and reduces the amount of energy that must be replaced with clean alternatives. Electrifying low- and medium-heat processes using zero-carbon power is another critical step. Some industrial processes—especially those requiring very high temperatures or involving chemical reactions—cannot easily be electrified. In these cases, alternative fuels and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) will play a vital role.
This pathway incorporates insights from the broader community of experts advancing decarbonization in the industrial sectors, including the World Resources Institute, Climate Group, and Industrious Labs.