As the world works to meet climate goals and secure long-term economic resilience, decarbonising industrial production has become one of the most pressing challenges.

Industry accounts for roughly a quarter of global CO₂ emissions and nearly 40 percent of energy use – figures that are expected to grow alongside rising demand for industrial goods. Achieving climate targets, therefore, hinges on the ability to use fewer resources, waste less, and transition to renewable energy, all while safeguarding competitiveness and jobs.

Against a backdrop of volatile energy prices, strained supply chains and increasing climate risks, businesses are already shifting.

Many now see the green transition not just as an obligation, but as a strategic opportunity to lower costs, strengthen market positions and build resilience. In fact, a majority of global companies cite long-term competitiveness as their main reason for accelerating climate action.

But moving from ambition to implementation requires clear pathways, supportive policies and proven solutions.

Towards a sustainable industry

To support this transition, State of Green is proud to launch the new white paper: Towards a sustainable industry – presenting solutions for competitive, efficient and resilient production.

Made in close collaboration with the Danish Ministry of Environment and Gender Equality, the Danish Agriculture and Food Council, the Danish Energy Agency, and Danish Industry, the publication highlights how industries can navigate the dual imperative of reducing emissions and boosting competitiveness. It draws on Danish and international experiences to explore how industrial players are improving energy efficiency, integrating renewables, advancing water circularity and adopting innovative business models.

Spanning themes such as resource efficiency through regulation, the competitive advantages of green investments, and sector-specific deep dives into manufacturing, food and agriculture, building and construction, and other resource-intensive industries, the white paper offers inspiration and concrete examples. Readers will find insights into:

• How regulatory frameworks and economic incentives can drive resource-efficient growth
• Ways to decouple energy and water use from economic output
• Business cases that demonstrate attractive returns on efficiency and circular solutions
• Examples of sector coupling, digitalisation and electrification that reduce both costs and carbon footprints

Combining climate action and industrial competitiveness

With ambitions to become climate-neutral by 2045, Denmark has long placed energy efficiency and resource conservation at the heart of industrial policy. Since the 1990s, the Danish economy has grown by 80 percent, while reducing energy consumption by 17 percent and greenhouse gas emissions by 46 percent (2023). This progress is the result of decades of targeted regulation, public-private climate partnerships, and investments in green technologies.

Today, Danish solution providers offer expertise across the value chain, helping industries worldwide electrify processes, recover waste heat, reuse water, and harness digital tools for smarter operations. Whether through bilateral government cooperation or collaborative industry platforms, Denmark shares its experience to support global industrial decarbonisation.

The new white paper underscores that the green transition of industry is not only necessary to meet climate targets—it is also an engine for innovation, competitiveness and future-proof growth.