Decarbonizing Industry

Reducing energy-related carbon dioxide emissions is the first step to decarbonizing the manufacturing sector.

Approximately 75% of industrial greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are linked to energy use, representing roughly 23% of total U.S. GHG emissions in 2021. When indirect emissions from electricity use are considered, industrial emissions make up 30% of total U.S. GHG emissions.⁽¹⁾

Over 80% of these energy-related industrial emissions could be reduced by 2050 using technologies and strategies known today.  In many sectors, increasing energy efficiency alone can cut carbon emissions by more than 30% by 2050.⁽²⁾

Cutting carbon by using energy more efficiently is the most cost effective decarbonization strategy that can be implemented today.

To achieve these reductions, companies and plants need strong energy management practices and programs to drive efficiency and manage decarbonization efforts.

Learn more

• Sources of Industrial Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• Potential for deep decarbonization in U.S. manufacturing
• Energy efficiency reduces industrial carbon emissions
• Use ENERGY STAR to support industrial decarbonization

References

1. Calculated from the US Greenhouse Gas Inventory for direct and indirect emissions associated with electricity purchase:  https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions
2. Worrell and Boyd (2022) Journal of Cleaner of Production, Bottom-up estimates of deep decarbonization of U.S. manufacturing in 2050: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652621039342