Clean Energy for Hard-to-Abate Sectors

Decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors remains one of the most critical and complex challenges in the climate transition, with a clear gap between corporate ambition and on-ground action. Across these perspectives, the focus is on scalable pathways—ranging from green hydrogen and industrial clusters to policy support and technology adoption—to drive credible and inclusive decarbonisation. Here are some insights from across the internet that explore this theme further:

. Beyond Net Zero Pledges

. An assessment of over 8,600 public companies reveals that while 40% of firms have net zero ambitions, a striking 56% of those in hard to abate sectors – energy, materials and chemicals – have set no GHG reduction targets for 2050. Only 3% are deemed to be truly aligned with net zero goals and 16% are committed but not fully aligned. The findings spotlight a growing credibility gap between corporate pledges and on-ground action in emissions intensive industries, while underscoring the urgency for interim targets, transparent decarbonisation plans and investor accountability.

. Decarbonising India’s Power Sector

. India’s coal-dependent power sector faces the twin challenge of meeting fast-growing electricity demand while cutting emissions. New modelling shows that while wind and solar are the cheapest options for capacity expansion, relying solely on them risks uneven growth that benefits wealthier regions more than coal-heavy ones. A more balanced pathway combines large-scale renewable deployment with retrofitting coal plants for biomass co-firing and carbon capture, reducing costs and ensuring fairer regional outcomes. The study highlights that India’s energy transition will need to balance cost, equity and feasibility to be both eﬀective and just.

. Unlocking India’s Green Steel Future

. Steel, which is responsible for nearly 8% of India’s national emissions, is set for a major shift as demand for green steel is expected to rise from almost nothing today to ~4.5 million tons (MT) by FY30 and 179 MT by FY50, led by construction, infrastructure and automotive. Although green steel currently carries a premium of about $210/ton, advances in green hydrogen and carbon pricing could narrow this to less than 1% by 2035–40. Large-scale adoption of hydrogen-based DRI, electric arc furnaces and molten oxide electrolysis, along with supportive policies and procurement mandates, will be critical to achieving this transition.

. Accelerating India’s Energy Transition through Industrial Clusters

. India’s path to clean energy is gaining momentum thanks to a cluster-based approach that transforms heavy industrial zones into low-carbon hubs. Industries such as steel, cement, aluminium and chemicals can share infrastructure, improve eﬃciency and scale up new technologies at lower cost. This report identifies 37 priority clusters that account for nearly three-quarters of India’s industrial emissions and sets out four pathways for decarbonisation: systemic eﬃciency and circularity, direct electrification, hydrogen and carbon capture utilisation and storage. By aligning investment, policy and infrastructure around these hubs, India can accelerate emissions reduction while safeguarding industrial competitiveness.

. Long-term Decarbonisation of Industrial Heat

. Heavy industry remains one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise owing to its reliance on high-temperature process heat. This study models the Italian energy system under a 100% renewable scenario by 2050 and shows that heat pumps are well suited to low-temperature needs, while biofuels are the most cost-eﬀective option for medium and high temperatures. Limited biomass availability makes synthetic electrofuels increasingly important, with the potential to cover more than half of high-temperature demand. The findings highlight that industrial decarbonisation cannot be planned in isolation but must be integrated with the wider energy system to balance technology choices, resource limits and policy support.