Reports and articles
The “No-Excuse” framework for net zero manufacturing industries
Published on January 5th 2023
A paper released by the World Economic Forum’s Industry Net Zero Accelerator initiative offers a framework to inspire industry action towards achieving net zero.
Co-authored by Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy (CIIP) – knowledge partners of the initiative – the “No-Excuse” Framework for Net Zero Manufacturing Industries and Value Chains kick starts a series of planned activities to help businesses to collaborate and accelerate change across industrial sectors.
Net zero is the internationally agreed upon goal for mitigating global warming and avoiding catastrophic climate change. Representing nearly 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions, industry not only has a significant role to play in achieving global carbon reduction targets, but also has much to gain from the transition.
However, the shift will require unprecedented cooperation and mobilisation across industries. And whilst many companies have already started their journey, not all businesses have the tools to make impactful progress. Firms often face major implementation barriers and find themselves discussing various issues, strategies and solutions in isolation.
The World Economic Forum’s Industry Net Zero Accelerator initiative
To facilitate collaboration and strategic dialogue between stakeholders the World Economic Forum’s Industry Net Zero Accelerator initiative (in collaboration with Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy, Capgemini, Siemens and Rockwell) was established to help companies accelerate their decarbonization journey.
By providing a platform for manufacturers to collaborate and share insights with like-minded peers who share similar challenges, the initiative encourages the exchange of best practices and the resolution of some of the most complex challenges facing industry today.
The “No excuses” framework
To support strategical-level and business collaboration in net zero, the initiative has released the “No-Excuse” Framework for Net Zero Manufacturing Industries and Value Chains. Supported by compelling stories from the industrial world, the framework provides a structure for serious discussions around net zero and aims to empower executives to make their own organisational changes. It is based on 10 action pillars grouped into four stages:
The framework recognises that while individual organisations can make important contributions towards net zero, no company can manage the transformation of its manufacturing facilities and value chains alone. Instead, systemic collaboration is fundamental at supply-chain and cross-sectoral levels, as well as between the public and private sectors.
Examples from the paper demonstrate that many firms are already leading the way to address these important challenges and that all stakeholders – even competitors – can find mutual benefit in ensuring their industries can continue operating in the future. For example, by sharing technologies, supporting suppliers’ decarbonisation journeys and supporting the development of net zero infrastructure.
About the report
The No-Excuse” Framework for Net Zero Manufacturing Industries and Value Chains proposes a framework and reference guide to help shape and implement “no-excuse” strategic actions and encourages manufacturing ecosystem collaboration in achieving net zero.
Lead authors:
- David Leal-Ayala
Deputy Head, Policy Links Unit, IfM Engage, University of Cambridge; Research Fellow, Shaping the Future of Advanced Manufacturing and Value Chains, World Economic Forum - Eric Enselme
Industry Fellow, Shaping the Future of Advanced Manufacturing and Value Chains, World Economic Forum - Amira Tantaoui El Araki
Director, Intelligent Industry, Capgemini; Project Fellow, Shaping the Future of Advanced Manufacturing and Value Chains, World Economic Forum
About the WEF Industry Net Zero Accelerator Initiative
The World Economic Forum co-founded the Industry Net Zero Accelerator initiative in collaboration with Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy (Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge), Capgemini, Siemens and Rockwell.
The initiative provides a cross-industry platform for a growing community of industry leaders, technology providers and academia experts to encourage knowledge sharing and actionable solutions for net zero.
As knowledge-partners of the initiative, Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy are committed to providing thought leadership to the World Economic Forum in their mission to support the transition to clean energy.
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