Promoting low- and near zero-emission technologies for hard-to-abate industries

The industrial sector holds a tremendous potential for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as it is directly and indirectly responsible for about 34 per cent of global GHG emissions. Notably, the steel, cement and chemical and petrochemical industries, collectively referred to as hard-to-abate industries, are pivotal in this context as they are responsible for around 70 per cent of emissions from the industrial sector. Informed by the latest available science, the TEC included an activity stream on transformative industry in its rolling workplan for 2023-2027 to promote low- and near-zero emission production and products through the support of innovation, enabling environments, sustainable purchasing commitments, and financing in order to inform NDC planning and implementation.

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TEC Policy Brief on integrating hard-to-abate industries in the process of preparing and implementing NDCs

This TEC Brief #19:

Highlights the need for transforming hard-to-abate industries (steel, cement, chemicals) to significantly reduce GHG emissions and meet the 1.5°C Paris Agreement goal;
Encourages targeted policies for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries through electrification and renewable energy;
Identifies zero- and low-emission technologies like hydrogen-based steelmaking, electric boilers, and CCS as essential to reducing industrial GHG emissions;
Emphasizes tracking progress through clear roadmaps and robust MRV systems aligned with IPCC guidelines;
Recommends collaborative efforts among industries, governments, and financial institutions to accelerate the deployment of zero- and low-emission technologies;
Stresses the importance of international support, cooperation and knowledge sharing for innovation, technology transfer, and capacity-building, including through South-South and Triangular cooperation.

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Transformative Industry: Mapping of initiatives that promote low and near-zero emission production and products in hard-to-abate sectors

This background paper:

Provides sector-specific emissions and indicators for cement, steel, and chemical and petrochemical industries;
Analyzes global initiatives such as Mission Possible Roadmap, Net Zero by 2050 and State of Climate Action;
Identifies innovative low-emission and net-zero technologies, categorized by intervention type aligned with IPCC AR6 mitigation measures;
Includes technology maturity, barriers, implementation cost, timeframe, enabling policies, and cross-sectoral considerations;
Analyzes the status of hard-to-abate industries in ten countries through national documents; production, emission and mitigation goals;
technology gaps and alignment with technology roadmaps;
Suggests potential roles of various entities in driving industrial transformation, including through national-level R&D, policy interventions and international cooperation;
Presents suggestions where the TEC can add value.

Technology Day on Transformative Industry at COP 30

The second part of Technology Day on Transformative Industry was successfully held at COP 30 in Belém, Brazil, focusing on the decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries in the chemical and petrochemical sectors.

With high-level openings by the Vice President and Ministers from developed and developing countries as well as leadership from UN Climate Change and UNIDO, both sessions of the event highlighted zero and low emission technology and policy options for the chemical and petrochemical sectors. Policymakers, industry leaders, support providers and experts shared insights on innovations, policies and multi-stakeholder partnerships for industrial transformation.

Event page: Technology Day on Transformative Industry at COP30

Article: UNIDO and partners promotes cutting-edge technologies to decarbonize the chemical and petrochemical industries during COP30’s Technology Day

Session 1

Session 2

Technology Day on Transformative Industry at COP 29

Technology Day on Transformative Industry was successfully held at COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, focusing on the decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries. With a high-level opening by ministers from developed and developing countries, the event highlighted zero and low emission technology and policy options for the steel and cement sectors. Policymakers, industry leaders, support providers and experts shared insights on innovations, policies and multi-stakeholder partnerships for industrial transformation.

Event page: Technology Day on Transformative Industry at COP29

Newsroom article: Technology and Policy Innovations for Emission Cuts in Heavy Industries Unveiled at COP29 | UNFCCC

Transformative Industry

TEC Rolling Workplan 2023-2027

Promoting low- and near zero-emission technologies for hard-to-abate industries

TEC Policy Brief on integrating hard-to-abate industries in the process of preparing and implementing NDCs

Transformative Industry: Mapping of initiatives that promote low and near-zero emission production and products in hard-to-abate sectors

Technology Day on Transformative Industry at COP 30

Session 1

Session 2

Technology Day on Transformative Industry at COP 29

Session 1

Session 2

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