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Decarbonizing Industry by 2050: A Federal and State Policy Blueprint

Minneapolis, MN/Washington, DC – A new report from the Industrial Innovation Initiative (I3), an industry-labor-NGO partnership, recommends a suite of policies for congressional and state action designed to help American industry decarbonize while retaining high-wage jobs, technological leadership and economic competitiveness.

The report, Decarbonizing Industry by 2050: A Federal and State Policy Blueprint, is the first consensus policy blueprint from I3, an ambitious coalition of industry, environmental, labor, and other stakeholders working with state officials to advance strategies, policies and programs for industrial decarbonization by midcentury. I3 focuses on the industrial sectors of the Midwestern and Gulf States that are home to the greatest concentration of industrial production in the United States.

“The industrial sector – including cement, steel, chemicals, refining, paper and more – is critical to the U.S. economy and is essential to jobs and prosperity, employing nearly 13 million people across the United States. This first-of-its-kind consensus policy blueprint charts a course for industrial sectors to decarbonize through innovation, technology advancement and proactive, incentive-based policies at both the federal and state levels,” said Great Plains Institute Program Consultant Patrice Lahlum, noting that the blueprint builds off earlier work providing economic recovery recommendations I3 provided to Congress in July of 2020.

The new policy blueprint recommendations include:

  • Economywide implementation of carbon management—carbon capture, removal, transport, utilization, and geologic storage;
  • Production, transport, distribution and use of low- and zero-carbon hydrogen as a fuel and chemical feedstock;
  • Procurement that enables government to lead by example to build markets for lower-carbon technologies;
  • Electrification of direct emissions, particularly processes using low- and medium-temperature heat;
  • Energy efficiency to reduce emissions, lower production costs, reduce risks, and increase competitiveness; and

Applying innovative approaches to increase collaboration among industrial facilities, build markets for new innovations, and examine specific place-based needs to enable industrial decarbonization by midcentury.

Click here to view a fact sheet of the Initiative’s recommendations.

These recommendations to remove carbon from the third-highest carbon emitting sector in the U.S. economy were developed jointly by the I3 members over the past year. They are being released just as the United States looks to make good on its promises at the COP26 Summit and implement the recently passed infrastructure bill.

“I3 participants including industry, labor and NGO leaders realize the critical importance of working together to advance innovative technologies, shape supportive policies and implement solutions to maximize impact.  The Blueprint is an effective tool to help guide industrial decarbonization at the state, regional and federal levels toward a lower carbon future,” said Angela Anderson, World Resource Institute Director of Industrial Innovation and Carbon Removal.Decarbonizing industry is vital; however, it also presents a technical and practical challenge. Reducing and eliminating emissions in this sector will not come from a one-size-fits-all solution due to the variability across and among industries in terms of process and products. Adopting processes tailored to different sectors will be key if the U.S. is to meet near- and long-term emissions reductions goals. Failure to cut emissions by the end of this decade will increase the cost of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The figure below shows one potential pathway to decarbonization for the industrial sector, should policies be put in place to encourage widespread deployment of technologies and strategies such as the ones outlined in the I3 Policy Blueprint.

A potential decarbonization pathway for the industrial sector

Source: Great Plains Institute and World Resources Institute (October 2021), based on US EPA, Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks (April 2021).

“The U.S. industrial sector has a unique opportunity to become a global leader in technology investment and adoption. Doing so will require diverse stakeholders to engage in the policy process to ensure that the transition to net-zero is equitable and does not endanger the competitiveness of US industries and the communities they support,” said Lahlum, “This consensus blueprint is just the beginning of the industrial sector working together to find common sense decarbonization solutions.”

Click here to read the full I3 Policy Blueprint.

I3 Members include industry leaders such as ArcelorMittal, Dow, Entergy Corporation, Growth Energy, LafargeHolcim and Shell; NGOs including ACEEE, Clean Air Task Force, National Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy and Third Way; and labor leaders such as AFL-CIO, Boilermakers and United Steelworkers. I3 is jointly convened by Great Plains Institute and World Resources Institute.

Below are quotes of support from Industrial Innovation Initiative participants:  

“An effective, efficient strategy for decarbonization requires an in-depth consideration of the challenges and opportunities across all sectors of the economy. The policy blueprint unveiled today by the Industrial Innovation Initiative describes an ambitious and necessary policy agenda focused on innovation and complementary deployment strategies that will systematically drive markets for low-carbon technologies across the economy,” – Sasha Mackler, Executive Director, Bipartisan Policy Center

 “Hydrogen is a promising option for addressing “hard-to-decarbonize” areas of the industrial sector. This blueprint provides a cohesive and powerful set of federal and state policies that would accelerate development of the markets and infrastructure necessary for low- and zero-carbon hydrogen to decarbonize heavy industry.” — Emily Kent, Policy Manager, Zero-Carbon Fuels, Clear Air Task Force

“Industrial decarbonization has long been a climate blind spot. The recommendations included in this blueprint will help scale carbon management technologies crucial for achieving net-zero emissions in industry. In fact, they could deliver a 13-fold scale up of carbon management capacity by the mid-2030s and make carbon capture and storage viable for the decarbonization of cement and steel industries.” – Lee Beck, International Director, Carbon Capture, Clear Air Task Force

“Growth Energy is proud to work with the Industrial Innovation Initiative as our industry plans to further decarbonize our biorefineries and aid in overall efforts to address climate change. Carbon capture and sequestration projects are an important tool in the ethanol industry’s toolbox to help lower emissions, and we will continue to support policies to promote innovation and encourage investments that will further decarbonize our industry.” – Emily Skor, CEO, Growth Energy

 “LanzaTech strongly supports the Industrial Innovation Initiative’s policy blueprint to accelerate industry’s transition to a climate-safe future.  Scaling and deploying the new innovations, technologies and supply chains necessary to transition these hard-to-abate industries require thoughtful, supportive policies.”  – Tom Dower, Vice President, Public Policy, LanzaTech

“If we’re serious about preventing global temperatures from rising 1.5-2 degrees Celsius, it is critical that we develop comprehensive roadmaps with tangible strategies for policymakers to help responsibly decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors. The National Wildlife Federation supports the federal and state recommendations outlined in the i3 Policy Blueprint, which provides insight into essential steps needed to reduce emissions across the industrial sector and prepare for the inevitable energy transition in a way that benefits both people and wildlife.” – Shannon Heyck-Williams, Senior Director, Climate & Energy Policy, National Wildlife Federation

“Third Way wholeheartedly endorses the recommendations in this policy blueprint that will help abate emissions from some of the hardest industries to address. The Industrial Innovation Initiative has taken a very thorough and robust approach to crafting federal and state policies that will advance solutions like low- and zero-carbon hydrogen; carbon capture, utilization and storage; and government procurement strategies; all of which will be vital for meeting our net-zero emissions goals.” – Ryan Fitzpatrick, Director, Climate and Energy Program, Third Way

“Industrial decarbonization remains a daunting challenge but one that must be pursued.  This Policy Blueprint from I3 provides an impactful array of policies to kick-start this transformation while creating new jobs and training the workforce.”  – Ed Rightor, Industrial Program Director, American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

“RFA endorses the findings and policy recommendations of the I3 Policy Blueprint.  It is clear that industry needs to reduce carbon emissions quickly and significantly. Today’s ethanol already reduces lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 50 percent compared to gasoline, and widespread adoption of carbon management practices by U.S. biorefineries will put ethanol on the fast track toward net-zero carbon emissions.  Carbon management in the ethanol industry is one of the most cost-effective and immediate paths for large GHG reductions from the United States industrial sector and provides new investment and job opportunities in rural America.” – Geoff Cooper, President & CEO, Renewable Fuels Association

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Carbon Management Program Associate, GPI

Alana joined GPI in 2024 as a program associate on the Carbon Management team, specifically supporting the Industrial Innovation Initiative, where she helps to advance industrial decarbonization through GPI’s consensus-building approach. Alana previously worked as an account executive at Jamf, where she helped current K-12 education customers improve and scale the management and security of their Apple device deployments. Alana has spent most of her professional years working with Minnesota nonprofits, including two years as an AmeriCorps member with Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in community environmental studies from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

Ankita Gangotra, Associate, WRI

Dr. Ankita Gangotra is an Associate in WRI’s US Climate Program, researching avenues to decarbonize the industrial sector, focusing on cement and steel decarbonization, environmental trade policies and international cooperation. Prior to joining WRI, Ankita was a postdoctoral research fellow in the School of Foreign Service and the Department of Physics at Georgetown University. Her research looked at the readily available technology and policy options for upgrading low-carbon cement production in the United States. Ankita has an integrated Master's in Electronics Engineering with Nanotechnology from the University of York, UK (2015) and a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Auckland, New Zealand (2020). During her time in New Zealand, Ankita interned at the Office of the Prime Minister's Chief Science Advisor looking into equity, diversity and inclusion policy options for New Zealand’s science, research and innovation workforce.

Carrie Dellesky, Program and Outreach Manager, Carbon Removal and Industrial Innovation, WRI

Carrie Dellesky is the Program and Outreach Manager for Carbon Removal and Industrial Innovation. She develops strategies to advance policies and practices for scaling up a suite of carbon removal approaches and decarbonizing the industrial sector. She engages allies and builds and expands partnerships to mobilize champions and enhance visibility, action and impact. She also leads communications to amplify research and thought leadership, including messaging, media relations, event planning, social media and digital strategy.

Zachary Byrum, Research Analyst, WRI

Zachary Byrum is a Research Analyst in WRI's U.S. Climate Program, where he provides technology and policy analysis for carbon removal and deep decarbonization. His work focuses on pathways to reduce industrial emissions as well as bolstering technological carbon removal. Prior to WRI, Zach was a research assistant in the Carbon Management Research Initiative at the Center on Global Energy Policy. In the preceding years, he served as White House Intern in the National Economic Council under the Obama Administration and then an assistant analyst at the Congressional Budget Office. Zach holds a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University and a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Goucher College.

Katie Lebling, Associate, WRI

Katie Lebling is an Associate in WRI's Climate Program where she works on research and analysis of technological carbon removal approaches and industrial decarbonization. Before joining WRI, she worked at The Asia Group, and interned at the Woodrow Wilson Center’s China Environment Forum and the Treasury Department’s Office of Environment and Energy. She holds a Master's degree from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies in Energy, Resources, and the Environment, where she spent one year of the program studying in Nanjing, China, and has a B.A. from Colby College in Biology and Chinese language.

Debbie Weyl, Deputy Director, WRI United States

Debbie Karpay Weyl is the Deputy Director for WRI U.S. She previously served as Manager for the Buildings Initiative at WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities. She led an expanding global partnership to accelerate building energy efficiency in cities around the world. She also contributed to program management and development, research, and knowledge exchange for urban energy efficiency and sustainability. Debbie joined WRI from CLASP, a global non-profit organization that improves the environmental and energy performance of appliances, lighting and equipment. From 2011-2016 Debbie managed and developed global programs, led research projects, and facilitated collaboration among international experts and other representatives in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Prior to joining CLASP, Debbie worked at the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, where she was a contractor supporting building efficiency and other energy efficiency programs in the United States. Debbie holds a Master of Science in Environment and Development from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a B.A. in Politics (Political Economy and International Relations) from Princeton University.

Angela Anderson, Director of Industrial Innovation and Carbon Removal, WRI United States

Angela Anderson is the Director of Industrial Innovation and Carbon Removal in the Climate Program. She leads WRI's growing portfolio of work in industrial decarbonization and carbon removal and aims to change narratives around “hard-to-abate” sectors and promote the natural and technological interventions required to achieve net-zero targets. Prior to joining WRI, Angela worked as a program director, coalition builder, international advocate, and campaign strategist. She led the Climate and Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists for ten years; facilitated US-NGO engagement in the international climate negotiations while at US Climate Action Network and at the Pew Environmental Trust; and founded Clear the Air, a national coalition to reduce pollution from power plants. Angela holds a B.A. in political science from Colorado State University.

Patrice Lahlum, Vice President of Carbon Management, GPI

Patrice Lahlum is the vice president of the Carbon Management program at the Great Plains Institute. The Institute, headquartered in Minneapolis, MN, works with diverse stakeholders and communities across the country to transform the energy system to benefit people, the economy, and the environment. We strive to combine our unique consensus-building approach, expert knowledge and analysis, and local action to promote solutions that strengthen communities, shore up the nation’s industrial base, and enhance domestic energy independence, all while eliminating carbon emissions. Patrice oversees several initiatives including the Carbon Capture Coalition, Industrial Innovation Initiative, Carbon Action Alliance, and the Regional Carbon Capture Deployment Initiative.

Kate Sullivan, Senior Program Coordinator, Carbon Management, GPI

Kate Sullivan joined the Great Plains Institute in 2019. As Senior rogram Coordinator, Kate uses her analytical and design skills to provide research, writing, and logistical support across the Carbon Management team. Prior to joining GPI, Kate worked as an Energy Counselor in the Center for Energy and Environment’s residential department, assisting homeowners with their energy needs and providing resources for efficiency upgrades. Kate earned her BA in Biology from St. Olaf College with an emphasis in Environmental Studies.

David Soll, Industrial Decarbonization Manager, GPI

David Soll joined the Great Plains Institute in 2023 and serves as Industrial Decarbonization Manager. He oversees the Industrial Innovation Initiative, a coalition advancing decarbonization solutions for the Midcontinent region’s most important industrial sectors. Prior to joining GPI, he taught history and environmental studies at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where he focused on urban infrastructure and energy conservation. David earned a Master’s in government from the University of Texas at Austin and a PhD in history from Brandeis University.

Jill Syvrud, Senior Program Manager, Carbon Management, GPI

Jill Syvrud joined the Great Plains Institute in 2017 and serves as the program manager for the Carbon Management Program. In addition to overseeing the overall program, Jill directly supports the Industrial Innovation Initiative, a coalition advancing decarbonization solutions for the Midcontinent region’s most important industrial sectors. Jill earned a bachelor of science in biology from the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire and a master of science degree in science technology and environmental policy from the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey School of Public Affairs. Jill’s past experience includes multiple graduate research assistantships concentrating on technology innovation and sustainable megacities along and a previous position as an administrative and outreach coordination intern with the Midwest Renewable Energy Association.