Emitting sectors

Explore the key challenges of decarbonizing the five major emitting sectors responsible for the majority of global emissions.

NetZero pillars

Power and Grids

The power sector has several well-established and mature zero-carbon technologies; however, support for the deployment of emerging solutions, including those that are still unproven at scale, will be needed if the power sector is to stay on track to net zero.

Industry and Materials

Manufacturing, producing basic materials and other industrial activities account for about a quarter of annual global CO₂ emissions. This includes energy-intensive processes such as steelmaking, refining of chemicals and fuels and making consumer and other goods.

Transport

The movement of people and goods via cars, buses, ships, planes and other forms of transportation accounts for one-seventh of total global CO₂ emissions each year. Within transportation, emissions from road vehicles has been rising sharply, particularly as developing nations put more cars on the roads.

Buildings

The buildings sector is responsible for a large share of global emissions, but retrofitting existing buildings with low-carbon heating and cooling technologies and requiring efficiency standards in new builds can reduce this share. Heat pumps are a mature, efficient heating technology with the potential to play a significant role in lowering the sector's carbon footprint.

Agriculture

As developing countries grow, demand for food overall and for food with higher protein levels rises. This creates a pressing need for sustainable agriculture solutions that address the emissions challenge while not hampering economic growth.

NetZero actions

All actions