Six panels on decarbonisation

100 presentations based on peer-reviewed papers or abstracts

The panels cover all different aspects on decarbonising industry.

Policies and programmes to drive transformation
Sustainable production towards a circular economy
Energy management – in real life
Technology, processes and systems
Business models, finance and investment in the age of digitalisation
Deep decarbonisation of industry

Efficiency key to climate change mitigation

The 2015 Paris Agreement aims at keeping global temperature rise in this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Globally, industry accounts for about a third of final energy demand. In the EU, industry accounts for about 25% of final energy demand mainly due to energy-intensive industries and specific energy-intensive products and processes (e.g. steel, cement, ethylene) making the sector and its products critical for the achievement of European climate targets. However, a focus on these energy intensive sectors must no exclude other, non-energy intensive sectors (manufacturing, food processing etc). All industrial sectors are important in the energy transition towards a low-carbon economy.

Regardless of the end-use sector, energy efficiency is key to decarbonisation, productivity gains, energy security, improved competitiveness and socio-economic benefits. Efficiency improvements also reduce costs associated with maintenance, production stand-still and insurance fees. And, importantly, this will have positive employment benefits throughout the economy.

Fast decarbonisation a formidable challenge

The decarbonisation of industry presents a formidable challenge. In a few sectors, such as iron and steel, new carbon-free processes may lead to more electricity being used. Just going for renewables is not enough. By increasing efficiency across all sectors and end-uses we can free up resources to make this transition affordable and manageable.

Looking beyond carbon and energy

Industrial Efficiency 2020 explored current and emerging trends in industry, such as new business models, digitalisation, industry 4.0, the circular economy and resource efficiency, and discuss the significance of these trends for delivering decarbonisation. The multiple benefits of energy efficiency are of particular interest.

Panel 1. Policies and programmes to drive transformation

Panel leaders: Hannes Mac Nulty, Mac Nulty Consulting, France, and Jenny Chu, The Climate Group, U.K. Read more about Panel 1.

Panel 2. Sustainable production towards a circular economy

Panel leaders: Andrea Herbst, Fraunhofer ISI, Germany, and Simone Zanoni, Università degli Studi di Brescia, Italy. Read more about Panel 2.

Panel 3. Energy management – in real life

Panel leaders: Hannes von Knorring, CIT Industriell Energi AB, Sweden, and Reinhard Ungerböck, Grazer ENERGIEAgentur GmbH, Austria. Read more about Panel 3.

Panel 4. Technology, processes and systems

Panel leaders: Anna Realini, Ricerca sul Sistema Energetico – RSE S.p.A., Italy, and Simon Harvey, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden. Read more about Panel 4.

Panel 5. Business models and finance in the age of digitalisation

Panel leaders: Diana Wang, Institut for Energy Efficiency in Production (EEP), University of Stuttgart, Germany, and Rod Janssen, Energy in Demand, U.K. Read more about Panel 5.

Panel 6. Deep decarbonisation of industry – technologies, strategies & implications for policy, industry and research

Panel leaders: Marlene Arens, Lund University, Sweden, and Stefan Lechtenböhmer, Wuppertal Institute for Climate Environment and Energy, Germany. Read more about Panel 6.