Alliance for Industry Decarbonisation: accelerating net zero in industrial value chains

IRENA and Siemens Energy have led the launch of the new industry alliance for decarbonisation with thirteen other industrial partners.

The new Alliance, which was announced at IRENA’s Investment Forum on Energy Transitions in Bali, Indonesia, is intended to provide a platform for industry to exchange and collaborate to contribute towards the achievement of countries’ net zero goals.

Industry is a major contributor to emissions, accounting for over one-quarter of the greenhouse gas emissions globally, with its diversity presenting challenges for decarbonisation and opportunities for a clean energy transition.

“Climate action needs industry leaders,” said Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA.

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“This Alliance stands for the growing commitment of global industry to act on decarbonisation and unlock opportunities that come with a green industrialisation through renewables and other transition-related technologies like green hydrogen.”

IRENA will coordinate the activities of the Alliance and it will be co-chaired by Siemens Energy, which was a major driver for its creation.

Other founding members include Enel Green Power, TAQA Arabia, Eni, Technip Energies, EDF Renewables, JSW, Tata Steel, Sable Chemicals, Tatanga Energy, Roland Berger, Repsol, Equinor and TAQA.

“We need to slash greenhouse gas emissions urgently if we are going to tackle climate change. The industrial sector is the second largest emitter and requires rapid decarbonization. In this endeavour, partnerships are crucial,” said Karim Amin, Member of the Executive Board of Siemens Energy.

“I am convinced the Alliance for Decarbonisation will accelerate decarbonisation by installing a first-class exchange forum for industry, technology, and knowledge partners.”

The first meeting of the Alliance, which was formed under the Bali Declaration, is due to take place at COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt in November.

Future actions include developing a work programme defining a detailed scope of activities of the Alliance, which also is encouraging new public and private industry members that share the common vision.

The Alliance will also strengthen dialogue and coordinate action by industrial stakeholders from across the public and private sectors.

Decarbonisation pathways

Mission Innovation, the inter-governmental platform for clean energy innovation has highlighted net zero industries as a focus with a mission set for launch shortly following the soft launch at COP26 in November 2021.

In a discussion paper aimed to identify innovation needs, key technology pathways are highlighted, based on the needs of three major industry sectors, cement, chemicals and iron and steel.

These, which vary in terms of prioritisation across the sectors, are the electrification of production and processes, use of clean hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, carbon capture and utilisation, alternative fuels and feedstocks (other than H), more energy-efficient processes and materials efficiency.

Of these electrification, clean hydrogen, efficiency and alternative fuels showed the most potential for applications across all sectors.