The decarbonisation of industrial processes will be key to achieving ambitious climate goals. A variety of sustainable strategies from resource efficiency to process technology innovation will be needed to support the clean transition of key energy-intensive sectors. This event will bring together experts from government, research and industry to discuss the role of industrial innovation and international collaboration in meeting climate objectives.

Programme

Araceli Fernandez (IEA) kicked-off the session with a presentation on the materials and energy transition nexus, followed by speakers representing the three most energy-intensive industrial sectors: iron and steel (Andrew Purvis, Worldsteel Association), cement (Fabio Cirilo, Cimentos Votorantim) and (Tara Nitz, German Chemical Industry Association). The sectorial presentations focused on the role of innovation, as the cornerstone of change, in each of the industrial sectors.

Messages from the ensuing panel discussion included:

• Good consensus on barriers to the clean transition of industry focusing on ensuring a level playing field for industrial players internationally and provide stability and certainty on long-term climate and energy objectives.
• Successful industrial innovation projects rely on strong public-private partnerships across value chains to share risks and have visibility on the affordability and availability of the adequate energy resources.
• Beyond policy, there is a need to create demand for low-CO2 materials and products through public procurement and private initiatives. Partnerships should not stop at the production step and should include material consumers.