Decarbonisation of Industrial Clusters

The ambition of cutting greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050 needs to be positioned alongside opportunities for both growth and job creation.  Moreover, global markets for low-carbon technologies are rapidly growing, including technologies like CCUS and hydrogen. The decarbonisation of industrial clusters is of critical importance to seize these opportunities. Decarbonisation is also critical for a green economic recovery, as we are emerging from the current crisis caused by COVID-19. The UK Industrial Clusters Mission aims to deliver four low carbon industrial clusters by 2030 and at least one net zero industrial cluster by 2040. The Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre (IDRIC) is a critical element of the Industrial Clusters Mission. We are working with industry, academia, policymakers and other stakeholders to develop a multidisciplinary research and innovation agenda to decarbonise the UK’s largest six industrial clusters. In this presentation, we will discuss the Centre’s research and policy functions, aiming to reduce costs, risks, timescales and emissions of the required technologies, whilst considering economic and policy implications.

Speakers

Professor Mercedes Maroto-Valer

Heriot-Watt University