Reports and articles
United for Net Zero: public-private collaboration for industry decarbonisation
Published on January 7th 2025
A report released by the World Economic Forum’s Industry Net Zero Accelerator initiative highlights the crucial role of public-private collaboration in driving the transition to net zero.
Co-authored by Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy (CIIP) – knowledge partners of the initiative – the United for Net Zero: Public-Private Collaboration to Accelerate Industry Decarbonization paper emphasises that by leveraging their complementary strengths, both sectors can work together to reduce emissions significantly.
The opportunity to cap global warming at 1.5°C is rapidly escaping. In this context, the need to accelerate the decarbonisation of industry – which represents 30% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions – has never been more critical.
Despite the growing determination among companies from diverse sectors to tackle their carbon footprints, they still face significant hurdles. High initial costs, technological challenges, uncertain regulations, and a lack of skilled workers present major obstacles. Additionally, insufficient infrastructure, limited financing options, and resistance to change highlight the urgent need for collaboration between public and private sectors.
To make substantial progress, businesses require supportive conditions from governments, while governments need insights from businesses to shape effective industrial policies. This partnership can lead to tailored policy frameworks and incentives from the government, empowering private companies to drive innovation and ensure effective implementation.
This white paper recognises the need for systemic collaboration to overcome the main barriers to industrial decarbonisation. It presents 11 real-world case studies from early movers that illustrate best practices and successful collaborations worldwide. These case studies provide tangible examples at two levels of action and address four significant barriers companies face in reaching net zero: gaining buy-in, accurately calculating emissions, implementing mitigation efforts, and encouraging green business growth.
The case studies also demonstrate how public-private collaboration can overcome key challenges, foster innovation, and hasten the transition to a decarbonised industrial landscape. By guiding strategic-level decisions and organising private and public sector stakeholders, this framework acts as a practical roadmap for businesses seeking to accelerate decarbonisation via partnerships.
“Moving forward, the World Economic Forum will continue to unite leaders from various sectors, including industry, government, academia, and civil society, to share insights, enhance decision-making, celebrate accomplishments, and help bridge knowledge gaps. This is essential for advancing an attainable pathway to net zero.”
Dr David Leal-Ayala, Deputy Head, Policy Links, IfM Engage
About the report
‘United for Net Zero:Public-Private Collaboration to Accelerate Industry Decarbonization’ provides eight ways for manufacturers to collaborate with public organisations and overcome challenges on the path to achieving net zero emissions.
By informing strategic-level decisions and structuring the dialogue between private and public sector stakeholders, the paper serves as a practical roadmap for businesses looking to engage in public-private collaborations to accelerate decarbonisation.
Lead authors:
- David Leal-Ayala
Deputy Head, Policy Links Unit, IfM Engage, University of Cambridge; Research Fellow, Shaping the Future of Advanced Manufacturing and Value Chains, World Economic Forum - Eric Enselme
Industry Fellow, Shaping the Future of Advanced Manufacturing and Value Chains, World Economic Forum - Amira Tantaoui El Araki
Director, Intelligent Industry, Capgemini; Project Fellow, Shaping the Future of Advanced Manufacturing and Value Chains, World Economic Forum - Léa Driguez
Senior Consultant, Capgemini; Project Fellow, Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains
About the WEF Industry Net Zero Accelerator Initiative
The World Economic Forum co-founded the Industry Net Zero Accelerator initiative in collaboration with Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy (Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge), Capgemini, Siemens and Rockwell.
The initiative provides a cross-industry platform for a growing community of industry leaders, technology providers and academia experts to encourage knowledge sharing and actionable solutions for net zero.
As knowledge-partners of the initiative, Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy are committed to providing thought leadership to the World Economic Forum in their mission to support the transition to clean energy.
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