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A coalition of 33 industrial clusters spanning 16 countries has joined forces to drive economic growth, create jobs, and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The new addition of 13 industrial clusters marks a major step in the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative, launched at COP26 in 2021. The initiative, now one of the largest global efforts to address industrial emissions, aims to accelerate the transition to clean energy infrastructure worldwide while fostering economic development.

New Participants from Around the Globe

The recent expansion includes clusters from Australia, Brazil, Colombia, India, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Thailand, and the United Kingdom. Among the newest members are several key players in emerging economies, such as India’s Kerala Green Hydrogen Valley and the Cartagena Industrial Cluster in Colombia. These regions are leveraging their unique positions to drive innovation in green energy and contribute to the global effort to cut emissions.

Together, these 33 clusters represent a potential reduction of 832 million tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions annually — roughly the same as the total emissions of Saudi Arabia. Additionally, the initiative supports over 4.3 million jobs and contributes $492 billion to global GDP. This coalition emphasizes the critical role industrial hubs play in scaling clean energy solutions and accelerating the transition to net-zero economies.

Collaborative Innovation for a Low-Carbon Future

A newly published report by the World Economic Forum, in collaboration with Accenture and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), highlights the significant potential of industrial clusters in driving clean energy infrastructure. The report underscores how interconnected industries in geographically concentrated areas can work together to deploy renewable energy solutions at scale. Digital technologies, including AI and data analytics, are central to accelerating progress in decarbonizing industrial sectors.

“Connecting industrial clusters across geographies and industries will not only enable the deployment of new energy infrastructure but will also foster a more resilient and sustainable global economy,” said Roberto Bocca, Head of the Centre for Energy and Materials at the World Economic Forum. By forging stronger connections between clusters, this initiative is creating a blueprint for how collaboration can catalyze the energy transition and unlock sustainable growth.

Strategic Focus on Port-Based Clusters and Emerging Economies

The initiative is expanding its focus on port-anchored clusters, with new members including the Port of Açu Low Carbon Hub in Brazil and the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. These clusters, which are pivotal in international trade, play a critical role in the global supply chain and are seen as key nodes in connecting renewable energy sources with industrial demand.

The new members from India, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia signal the initiative’s commitment to advancing low-carbon economies in emerging regions. For example, the Kakinada Cluster in India and the Saraburi Sandbox in Thailand are focused on decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors like cement production, which are typically large sources of emissions. These new additions represent a growing commitment to sustainable industrial practices in rapidly developing economies.

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