- 13 new industrial clusters, from Australia, Brazil, Colombia, India, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Thailand and the United Kingdom, join the World Economic Forum's Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative.
- The initiative's 33 members from 16 countries represent combined potential greenhouse gas emissions reductions comparable to the annual emissions of Saudi Arabia.
- A new report highlights the critical role that industrial clusters play in accelerating the deployment of clean-energy infrastructure at scale worldwide.
- Read the full report here and learn more about the Industrial Clusters initiative here . Follow the Annual Meeting here and on social media using #WEF25.
Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, 22 January 2025 - Thirteen leading industrial clusters from Australia, Brazil, Colombia, India, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Thailand and the United Kingdom have recently joined the World Economic Forum's Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative.
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."
The addition of five new clusters from India, the fastest-growing major economy, one from Thailand's Saraburi province, the country's concrete production epicentre, and one from Australia highlight the initiative's commitment to driving progress in the Asia-Pacific region. The initiative is also strengthening its network of port-anchored clusters by adding Rotterdam, Gothenburg, and the Solent Cluster from Europe; the Ports of Açu and the Cartagena Industrial Cluster, the first community members in South America; and the port-based Jubail Industrial City, the first member in the Middle East.
The 13 new members are:
- Kerala Green Hydrogen Valley (India): This zone in Kerala is central to India's decarbonization efforts by scaling hydrogen-powered transport.
- Cartagena Industrial Cluster (Colombia): Connected to the largest port-based industrial zone, this industrial cluster is uniquely positioned to become a strategic hub for the production, storage, distribution, shipping and use of clean hydrogen and low-carbon fuels.
- Gopalpur Industrial Park (India): Strategically located, the industrial park provides an exemplary ecosystem to attract investments from sectors leveraging cutting-edge technology, including green energy.
- Hunter Region (Australia): The Hunter region is a hub of innovation and industry diversification, fostering collaboration across sectors to support growth in the emerging energy economy. The Hunter region showcases new technologies and advances low-carbon strategies to drive sustainable economic development.
- Jubail Industrial City (Saudi Arabia): Since outlining a plan in 1975 for an industrial city, the Jubail cluster has developed holistically, allowing synergies between co-located industries to minimize their carbon footprint.
- Kakinada Cluster (India): Coordinated by AM Green, this port-anchored hub in Andhra Pradesh works to provide industrial decarbonization solutions, including green ammonia, hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuel.
- Mundra Cluster (India): Located in Gujarat, the Mundra Cluster integrates green power initiatives with infrastructure to support large-scale industrial projects.
- Mumbai Green Hydrogen Cluster (India): This industrial hub in Maharashtra is accelerating the green hydrogen economy, linking industries with sustainable energy sources.
- Port of Açu Low Carbon Hub (Brazil): Leveraging Brazil's competitive advantage in renewable energy and biofuels, as well as the port's world-class infrastructure, the cluster aims to deliver comprehensive decarbonization solutions for a range of hard-to-abate sectors.
- Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands): As Europe's largest port and logistics hub and a leader in green hydrogen corridors, this industrial area is connecting renewable energy production to industries across Europe.
- Saraburi Sandbox (Thailand): Located in Saraburi Province, this model for a low-carbon city focuses on advancing clean energy solutions and circularity, reducing emissions from the heavy-emitting cement sector, and creating nature-positive ecosystems.
- The Solent Cluster (United Kingdom): Aiming to become a leading centre for low-carbon investment, The Solent Cluster will grow the regional economy, protect skilled jobs, and create new employment opportunities for low carbon energy technologies and industries.
"Leading industrial clusters treat decarbonization as a destination that must be reached collectively - one that has the potential to drive business growth and industry reinvention," said Stephanie Jamison, Global Resources Industry Practice Lead and Global Sustainability Services Lead at Accenture. "These industrial leaders are adopting digital technology to accelerate the deployment and optimization of net-zero infrastructure. They are harnessing the power of data and AI to provide intelligence for enterprise and ecosystem decision-making, predict emissions progress, and even facilitate new business models that would not have been possible previously."
"The shortest path to technology deployment is the one paved through collaborative innovation," added Neva Espinoza, EPRI Senior Vice-President of Energy Supply and Low-Carbon Resources. "The addition of 13 industrial clusters to this global initiative reflects the vital importance of bringing all stakeholders together to deploy the advanced energy technologies, low-carbon fuels and supporting infrastructure at the foundation of net-zero economies."
The Forum's report, Unleashing the Full Potential of Industrial Clusters: Infrastructure Solutions for Clean Energies , outlines solutions for clusters in the wider energy value chain to accelerate clean energy production, distribution and consumption. Strategic industrial ecosystems built around port facilities are highlighted as key nodes connecting international markets and regional industries.
Through 19 case studies from nine countries that showcase innovative collaborations, business models and digital technologies of case studies, the research identifies three key solution areas:
- Develop a common vision: This involves establishing effective governance, fostering public-private collaboration and building a joint digital foundation to maximize system value. One of the highlighted examples is Zero Carbon Humber, which uses digital twins to model decarbonization pathways and plan infrastructure projects.
- Expedite the scaling of clean energy initiatives: This emphasizes the need to accelerate collaboration across the clean energy value chain, spanning industries, transport and logistics. It includes aggregating and integrating demand, as well as financing new and enhanced business models. One financing example is the HyNet North West cluster, which has implemented the world's first asset-based regulated carbon capture and storage business model.
- Strengthen collaboration across clusters and regions: This covers global networks, international initiatives and value chain partnerships. A leading example in the report is the maritime corridor connecting the Andalusian Green Hydrogen Valley with demand in Northern Europe via the port of Rotterdam.
About the Transitioning Industrial Clusters Initiative
The Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative aims to improve collaboration and develop a shared vision among co-located companies and public institutions, with the goals of driving economic growth and employment, and reducing CO2e emissions. The initiative convenes the world's leading public and private industrial stakeholders at various stages of ambition and development to align on components required to competitively apply for funding, gain regulatory support and launch full-scale development activities to transition industrial clusters.
*Impact key performance indicators represent CO2e emissions, jobs and GDP/economic data reported by a limited number of signatory clusters.
About the Annual Meeting 2025
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025, taking place in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, from 20 to 24 January, convenes global leaders under the theme Collaboration for the Intelligent Age. The meeting will foster new partnerships and insights to shape a more sustainable, inclusive future in an era of rapidly advancing technology, focusing on five key areas: Reimagining Growth, Industries in the Intelligent Age, Investing in People, Safeguarding the Planet, and Rebuilding Trust. Click here to learn more.
