Thirteen prominent industrial clusters from countries such as Australia, Brazil, Colombia, India, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Thailand, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom have recently joined the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative. Launched for the first time at COP26 in 2021, the initiative now covers 33 clusters across 16 countries and five continents. It is now the world’s largest coalition of companies and institutions focused on cutting GHG emissions while boosting growth and jobs.
The WEF says these 33 clusters can reduce 832 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions every year, roughly equivalent to Saudi Arabia’s total emissions. Additionally, the initiative contributes $492 billion to global GDP and supports 4.3 million jobs.
Fostering Innovation Through Collaboration
A new report by Accenture and EPRI shows how industrial clusters can boost clean energy infrastructure through collaboration and innovation. These clusters drive the energy transition with innovative business models, many of which integrate digital technologies to accelerate progress.
Roberto Bocca, Head of the Centre for Energy and Materials, World Economic Forum said, “Both actions at individual industrial clusters level and collaboration across regions can enable consistent new infrastructure deployment that will further enable emissions reduction and economic growth.”
He added, “Connecting industrial clusters across geographies and industries will accelerate the energy transition and foster a more resilient and sustainable global economy.”
Expanding the Initiative with New Members
In the latest five new clusters to join from India, the Asia-Pacific region gets special attention on this initiative because of its strong growth rate in recent times. The new members also include industrial hubs from Brazil, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia, further expanding the initiative’s global reach. The initiative highlights port-anchored clusters, with new members like the Port of Rotterdam, Jubail Industrial City, and Cartagena joining.
The 13 new clusters include India’s Kerala Green Hydrogen Valley and Gopalpur Industrial Park, focused on hydrogen and green energy. The Cartagena Industrial Cluster in Colombia specializes in clean hydrogen, while Jubail Industrial City in Saudi Arabia cuts carbon emissions.
Additionally, Australia’s Hunter Region supports low-carbon tech, and India’s Kakinada and Mundra Clusters focus on green ammonia, hydrogen, and infrastructure integration. Port of Açu in Brazil targets decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors, and the Port of Rotterdam leads in green hydrogen corridors. Thailand’s Saraburi Sandbox targets cement emissions, and the Solent Cluster in the UK aims to foster low-carbon investment.
The initiative’s new report stresses that industrial clusters are embracing digital technologies to accelerate the adoption of net-zero infrastructure. According to Stephanie Jamison, Global Resources Industry Practice Lead at Accenture, “These industrial leaders are adopting digital technology to accelerate the deployment and optimization of net-zero infrastructure.”
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Three Key Solutions for Scaling Clean Energy
The report, “Unleashing the Full Potential of Industrial Clusters: Infrastructure Solutions for Clean Energies” highlights three key strategies for advancing clean energy adoption. These include developing a common vision, with examples like the Zero Carbon Humber cluster using digital twins for decarbonization planning, and expediting the scaling of clean energy initiatives, as seen in HyNet North West’s carbon capture model.
It also emphasizes strengthening cross-cluster collaboration, exemplified by partnerships like the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley and Rotterdam port’s maritime corridor.