Successful Solutions For Less CO2

Decarbonization Technologies

Decarbonization is a major pillar of global climate protection. It requires technological innovation, policy action and societal change. Various industries are taking different approaches to improving their carbon footprint.

Energy: Key to emission-free power generation

In the energy sector, the transition to renewable energies paves the way for decarbonization:

  • Wind and solar energy: In many countries, they replace fossil fuels as the main source of energy. Offshore wind farms and large-scale solar farms are leading the transformation.
  • Energy storage: Battery storage systems such as Tesla Powerwall or LG ESS Residential and innovative approaches such as hydrogen storage ensure a continuous energy supply despite fluctuating generation.
  • Grid integration: Smart grids optimize the distribution of renewable energies and increase efficiency.

Countries such as Denmark or Germany show that investments in renewable energies bring about significant reductions in CO2 emissions.

Transport: Electrification and alternative fuels

The transformation of the transport sector plays a pivotal role in decarbonization, as this sector accounts for about a fifth of global CO2 emissions. Successful approaches include:

  • Electromobility: Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular. Norway in particular, with an electric car share of around 90 percent of new registrations in 2024, shows how political incentives are accelerating change.
  • Hydrogen and e-fuels: Hydrogen and synthetic fuels offer low-emission alternatives for heavy-duty transport and aviation. Airbus, for example, is working on hydrogen-powered aircraft with the “HyPERION” project, while the shipping industry is relying on ammonia.
  • Public transport and micromobility: Investments in low-emission transport systems, such as electric buses or bicycle infrastructure, are particularly successful in urban areas. Cities like Amsterdam or Copenhagen are pioneers.

Industry: Efficiency and Circular Economy

Decarbonization in energy-intensive industry requires innovative technologies:

  • Electrification of processes: In steel production, for example, the direct reduction process with green hydrogen enables a massive reduction in CO2. Companies like SSAB in Sweden are pioneers.
  • Capture and storage of CO2 (CCS): Technologies such as the CO2 catcher “ORCA” from Climeworks in Iceland remove carbon dioxide directly from the atmosphere or capture it in industrial processes.
  • Circular economy: Recycling and the reuse of materials reduce the need for raw materials. Companies like BASF are working on closed material cycles.

 

Building management: Focus on energy-efficiency

The building sector is responsible for about 10% of the global CO2 emissions. Against this backdrop, energy-efficiency dominates in this area:

  • Energy-efficient refurbishment: Measures such as insulating buildings and installing energy-efficient windows significantly reduce energy consumption.
  • Heat pumps: They replace fossil heating systems and use environmental energy to generate heat. Scandinavian countries are using this technology across the board.
  • Smart buildings: Intelligent controls, e.g. using IBM Watson, reduce energy consumption through automated management of heating, ventilation and lighting.

Agriculture: Climate-friendly production

In agriculture, the main solutions to reduce CO2 emissions are the following:

  • Regenerative agriculture: Practices such as agroforestry or minimal tillage store CO2 in the soil and improve its quality.
  • Vertical farming: Vegetables and fruits are grown on top of each other on several floors in and in closed facilitiesXX, which significantly increases the plants regardless of weather and seasons, which makes multiple harvests possible annually. But the use of vertical farming does not only make sense in deserts. In densely built-up cities, they can help reduce dependence on food deliveries.
  • Precision agriculture: Sensors and digital tools optimize the use of water, fertilizers and pesticides, which reduces CO2 emissions.
  • Alternatives to animal products: The rise of plant-based protein alternatives and lab-grown meat is reducing pressure on the livestock industry. Companies like Beyond Meat and Upside Foods are pioneers.

Cross-sectoral approach needed

No industry can implement decarbonization alone. Successful approaches show that technology, political incentives and social commitment must go hand in hand. Decarbonisation is a challenge, but it also offers enormous opportunities: it promotes innovation, creates jobs and protects the climate. It is now crucial to increase speed and consistently expand proven solutions.