Industrial emissions—including emissions from energy-intensive industries such as steel, cement, chemicals, and aluminum—represent 22% of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. and 24% globally. Without new action, these emissions are projected to rise.
The industrial sector also represents many of the most difficult decarbonization challenges. From a technology perspective, the diversity and complexity of industrial processes means there is no one-size-fits all solution. Further, there are currently very limited low-carbon alternatives to the fundamental chemical reactions necessary to turn raw materials into products (such as melting iron ore to produce steel or calcination of limestone to make cement).
Carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies and innovative solutions for industrial heat represent promising solutions to these challenges. However, even if these technologies are deployed, another significant challenge remains: There is no clear way to differentiate low-carbon industrial products from their higher polluting alternatives in the market.
Our forthcoming white paper, New Policy for an Era of Energy Digitalization: Driving Demand for Industrial Decarbonization, will show how data—combined with powerful analytical tools and emerging digital technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and blockchain—can enable new systems of Digital Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (Digital MRV) to differentiate low-carbon industrial products, drive consumer demand, and incentivize industry to accelerate emissions reductions.
To see a preview of our point of view on Industrials, check out our recent blogs, “Industrial Sustainability Goes Digital.” and “To Address Climate Change, Accelerate Everything.”