Collection

Decarbonizing the world’s industries: A net-zero guide for nine key sectors

Wind turbines in the desert
Colored squares showing that by 2035 more than 50 percent of global power generation can be from renewables, including solar, onshore wind, offshore wind, hydro, and other

Power

The momentum: Over the past decade, the costs of renewables have dropped substantially—solar power by as much as 80 percent and wind power by about 40 percent—making them economically competitive with conventional fuels, such as coal and natural gas.

The acceleration: A successful transition to net zero will require meeting increased demand for electricity by scaling up renewable, low-carbon power generation and building enough flexibility in power systems to match supply and demand.

Read more about power
Oil refinery behind tall grass
Two dial graphics showing that a 10 percent increase in oil and gas production efficiency can deliver a 4 percent reduction in emissions intensity

Oil and gas

The momentum: Several oil and gas companies have set net-zero-emissions targets for their operations. Some are already reducing and offsetting their emissions, while others are divesting from high-carbon portfolios and investing in new technologies and businesses, such as hydrogen.

The acceleration: Oil and gas companies have capabilities that may be valuable for parts of a low-carbon energy system, such as access to capital and operational expertise. Leaders can look to frame strategic choices around managing carbon, rebalancing portfolios, and playing to core strengths.

Read more about oil and gas
Young woman charging electric vehicle
Line graph showing that electric vehicles could represent 47 percent of new car sales by 2030 and virtually all new car sales by 2050

Automotive

The momentum: Sales and planned production of low-emissions cars have surged. By 2035, we project that new passenger-vehicle sales in the largest automotive markets (China, the European Union, and the United States) will be close to 100 percent electric.

The acceleration: To make low-emissions vehicles the new norm, new supply chains and manufacturing capabilities are needed, as well as corresponding infrastructure, such as charging stations and hydrogen fueling stations. Innovations in electrifying heavy vehicles and trucks and developing autonomous vehicles could also help.

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Airplane flying over sea full of cargo ships
Colored dots in a circular pattern showing that more than 17 percent of global commercial aviation CO2 emissions could be addressed with lower-carbon technologies

Aviation and shipping

The momentum: The two sectors share similar solutions: modernizing fleets and increasing the use of sustainable fuels. Airlines, for example, are developing hybrid-electric, battery-electric, and hydrogen-fuel-cell-electric options for short-haul flights. For shipping, zero-emissions fuel technologies are available but need to be scaled up—and costs need to come down.

The acceleration: Sustainable aviation fuels, which can be produced from forestry waste and other forms of biomass, have the potential to reduce net emissions by as much as 70 to 100 percent versus fossil fuels. One way to accelerate shipping decarbonization is to implement “green corridors”—trade routes between major port hubs where zero-emission solutions are supported.

Read more about aviation and shipping
Factory worker pouring hot melted metal into mold
Two colored circle graphics showing that demand for low-emissions steel could rise from 15 percent of all production in 2020 to 90 percent of all production by 2050

Steel

The momentum: Many major steelmakers have pledged to go carbon neutral, as demand for green steel is spiking. Some solutions, such as steel produced in mills powered by green hydrogen, could scale up and become cost-effective within the next decade.

The acceleration: A successful transition to net zero will require large-scale investments in technologies, operational advances, new input materials, and a shift to renewable power sources.

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Worker pouring a concrete slab
Colored squares showing the cement industry could reduce emissions by up to 75 percent by 2050 with alternative fuels, new technologies, and other measures

Cement

The momentum: Some cement companies have used advanced analytics and other operational tactics to optimize for energy efficiency, while others have experimented with emissions-reducing production methods.

The acceleration: Going forward, the industry could explore alternative energy sources (such as biomass), carbon capture, and digitization of manufacturing.

Read more about cement
Heavy machinery in a quarry
Two circles that show how the decarbonization of haulage trucks could reduce a mine’s emissions by 25 percent

Mining

The momentum: Raw materials will be at the center of decarbonization efforts—copper for electrification, lithium and cobalt for batteries, for example. Mining companies will be expected to grow faster—and more cleanly—than ever before.

The acceleration: The availability of certain raw materials will need to be scaled up within a relatively short time—in certain cases, at volumes ten times or more than the current market size—to prevent shortages and keep new-technology costs competitive. Sustainable fuels and green electricity, among other solutions, could help decarbonize operations.

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Young man in vegetable garden referencing information on a tablet
Colored dots in a square pattern that show how technology to abate agriculture emissions could attract $400 billion to $600 billion in annual investment by 2025

Agriculture and food

The momentum: Promising technologies in animal feeding, soil carbon sequestration, and crop fertilization are in development or are already in use. The market for cultivated meats—those grown in bioreactors from animal cells—could become a $25 billion global industry by 2030.

The acceleration: Uptake of zero-emissions farm equipment and machinery—including tractors, harvesters, and dryers—is behind that of electric vehicles, but cost reductions and supportive financing could accelerate adoption.

Read more about agriculture and food
Close-up of person carrying baby trees ready to be planted
Dots in a circular pattern that show the market for carbon credits could be worth upward of $50 billion in 2030

Forestry and other land use

The momentum: Forests are natural carbon sinks—they absorb CO2 and release oxygen. Preventing deforestation has substantial abatement potential, is cheaper to implement than many other technological or natural climate solutions, and protects people’s livelihoods.

The acceleration: Well-managed reforestation can be used to offset hard-to-abate emissions in sectors such as cement and steel—and it can be done right now. Forest protection and restoration projects could help generate revenue from the sale of carbon credits in carbon markets.

Read more about forestry and other land use

ENERGY TRANSITION

Illuminated outline of countries on earth from outer space
Report

The energy transition: A region-by-region agenda for near-term action

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HYDROGEN AND BIOFUELS

 3D rendering of hydrogen energy tanks in a green field with wind turbines behind it
Article
Five charts on hydrogen’s role in a net-zero future
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“”
Article
Innovating to net zero: An executive’s guide to climate technology
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WASTE (METHANE EMISSIONS)

Curbing methane emissions: How five industries can counter a major climate threat
Report

Curbing methane emissions: How five industries can counter a major climate threat

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