GEÓ VOICE: 33 Industrial Clusters from 16 Countries Commit to Economic Growth

The Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative, first launched at COP26 in 2021, and developed in collaboration with Accenture and EPRI, now comprises 33 clusters in 16 countries and five continents, the largest coalition of co-located companies and public institutions pledging to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while boosting economic growth and job creation. The 33 signatories together represent potential carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions reductions of 832 million tonnes – approximately the annual emissions of Saudi Arabia. They also make a direct contribution of $492 billion to gross domestic product (GDP) and support 4.3 million jobs.*

In addition, a new report, published in collaboration with Accenture and EPRI, released today, highlights how industrial clusters – geographically concentrated areas or hubs where interconnected industries, companies and institutions collaborate to drive economic growth – can advance the deployment of clean-energy infrastructure worldwide. It spotlights innovative and collaborative business models, within and across clusters, including those harnessing the power of digital technologies.

“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,” said Roberto Bocca, Head of the Centre for Energy and Materials, World Economic Forum. “Connecting industrial clusters across geographies and industries will accelerate the energy transition and foster a more resilient and sustainable global economy.”