
About the project
During the project, state and regional governments will work together in groups to identify the key challenges they face in transitioning their industry to be low carbon.
Representatives from industry, system change experts and researchers will provide participants with tailored technical support so that governments can develop impactful, innovative and ambitious industry emission reduction strategies.
The Industry Transition Platform is a joint project of the Climate Group and the German state government of North Rhine-Westphalia, funded by Stiftung Mercator.
Partners
Stiftung Mercator
North Rhine-Westphalia

Project participants
The Industry Transition Platform works with eleven governments from highly-industrialised regions across Europe and North America.
Together, they are working to develop strategies to cut industry emissions while supporting growth, job creation and prosperity.
Why cut emissions from industry?
Industrialised states and regions are in a unique position to be at the forefront of bold climate action.
By tackling the industrial sector - one of the most difficult sectors to make emissions cuts - they're demonstrating that they can take on some of the most difficult climate challenges.
Achieve the Paris Agreement goals
For the Paris Agreement to be successful, we need to urgently reduce emissions from industry.
Industry accounts for 30% of global GHG emissions. Without urgent action, this is projected to increase and by 2030 the industrial sector will be the largest contributor to emissions globally.
Such radical transformations require clear and supportive policies, innovative public-private platforms and market drivers that support low carbon industry innovation.
Drive a low carbon industry future
- State and regional governments have the power and ability to experiment and stimulate industry innovation in a way that isn’t an option for national governments.
- Planning for low carbon industry provides states and regions with the opportunity to secure a long term clean and healthy future, guaranteeing jobs, growth and prosperity for their citizens.
- Governments from highly-industrialised regions taking part in the Industry Transition Platform are developing strategies to cut industry emissions, while supporting growth, job creation and prosperity.
Addressing challenges through innovation
The participating governments formed two innovation teams to address specific low carbon challenges.
The two teams are:
- Sustainable Hydrogen
- Fostering Disruptive Innovation
Sustainable Hydrogen
The Sustainable Hydrogen team is looking at opportunities for the production and utilisation of hydrogen in industrial processes.
The team is also considering mechanisms and opportunities for hydrogen transportation routes and its wider application as part of a 'hydrogen economy'.
Fostering Disruptive Innovation
The Fostering Disruptive Innovation team is looking at potential innovative opportunities in:
- Technology - such as fuel switching, carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS), and industry 4.0.
- Public Policy - such as sustainable procurement, embodied carbon disclosure and caps, and circular economy.
- Finance – such as contract-for-difference, access-over-ownership, and green bonds.
Project outcomes and resources
Government industry transition strategies
Infographics
Reports