A guide to greening heavy industries steps into the spotlight

A new book offers insights into transitioning heavy industry toward near-zero emissions, amid a push for cleaner manufacturing processes supported by the Biden administration.

Dan Gearino reports for Inside Climate News.


In short:

  • Jeffrey Rissman's book, Zero-Carbon Industry, highlights actionable strategies for industries like steel, concrete, and chemicals to drastically reduce their climate impact.
  • The Biden administration backs these initiatives with significant funding, aiming to modernize production methods across 33 companies for a greener future.
  • Rissman emphasizes the importance of informed policies and technology adoption in achieving substantial emission reductions in the industrial sector.
Key quote:

“Policymakers didn’t fully understand, ‘What is the industry sector?’ ‘What are the processes they use to create products?’”

— Jeffrey Rissman, Energy Innovation

Why this matters:

These initiatives represent a comprehensive overhaul of heavy industry, involving cutting-edge technologies, renewable energy sources, and innovative manufacturing processes. The goal is ambitious but clear: drastically reduce the carbon footprint of industries like steel, cement, and chemicals, which are crucial for modern life but significantly harmful to our planet.

Related: Cleaner steelmaking can’t come fast enough for this Northern Ontario city

Manufacturing plant with smoke rising from towers

How has climate change reshaped drought in the West Midlands?

The origins of the "flash drought" and how things compare to the conditions of 1976.
An aerial view of the Pentagon

U.S. Federal judge orders Pentagon to lift freeze on wind power

Since April, the Defense Department has halted all military reviews for wind projects, stalling dozens of projects nationwide.
NEW YORK CITY - SEPTEMBER 3 2015: Republican candidate for president Donald Trump announced he had signed a pledge not to run as an independent candidate should he fail to win the party's nomination in 2016.
Credit: andykatz/BigStock Photo ID: 100778843

Trump administration to pay German firm $1.22B to cut offshore wind leases

Agreement with RWE is the fifth deal Trump team has made with energy companies, offering payouts to give up projects.

A man wearing a hardhat on a roof inspecting solar panels

Utah produced more power from solar than any other source in May, marking a new first

Wind and solar generation are surging in Utah’s power mix, and experts expect the trend to continue despite cuts to federal clean energy incentives.

Computer generated 3D illustration with oil pumps, solar panels and wind turbines
Credit: MIRO3D/BigStock Photo ID: 147195269

How solar donors helped take down a Trump-backed Republican

A pro-renewable energy political action committee was behind Representative Andy Ogles' primary loss Thursday.

Sunlight shines over river bed
Photo by Trac Vu/Unsplash

Texas governor blasted Corpus Christi for its water crisis. A river authority he has power over is falling apart

The Nueces River Authority is working on a project that could expand the Corpus Christi region’s water supply, but the Texas governor has done little to address the agency’s financial problems, despite appointing every member of its board.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.