Thirteen new industrial clusters from Australia, Brazil, Colombia, India, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Thailand, and the United Kingdom have joined the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative, bringing the total number of participating clusters to 33 across 16 countries and five continents.
This initiative, launched at COP26 in 2021, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while promoting economic growth and job creation.
Together, the 33 clusters have the potential to cut 832 million tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions annually—roughly equivalent to the emissions of Saudi Arabia. These clusters also contribute $492 billion to global GDP and support 4.3 million jobs.
The initiative highlights the role of industrial clusters—geographically concentrated hubs of industries and institutions—in advancing the deployment of clean energy infrastructure and driving sustainable economic growth.
The new report, developed with Accenture and EPRI, stresses that collaborative, regionally concentrated clusters can accelerate the clean energy transition by fostering new business models and utilising digital technologies. According to Roberto Bocca, Head of WEF's Centre for Energy and Materials, global cooperation between clusters will speed up the energy transition and create a more resilient, sustainable economy.
Key new additions to the initiative strengthen its presence, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Notable new clusters include five from India, one from Thailand, and one from Australia, as well as several port-based clusters in Europe, South America, and the Middle East. These include Rotterdam, Gothenburg, and the Solent Cluster in Europe, the Ports of Açu and Cartagena Industrial Cluster in South America, and the Jubail Industrial City in Saudi Arabia.
The 13 new clusters include:
Cartagena Industrial Cluster (Colombia): Aiming to become a hub for clean hydrogen and low-carbon fuel production.
Gopalpur Industrial Park (India): Focused on attracting investments in green energy.
Hunter Region (Australia): A hub supporting the transition to a sustainable energy economy.
Jubail Industrial City (Saudi Arabia): Leveraging synergies between co-located industries to minimise carbon emissions.
Kakinada Cluster (India): A port-based hub for decarbonisation solutions like green ammonia and hydrogen.
Kerala Green Hydrogen Valley (India): Central to India’s hydrogen-powered transport strategy.
Mundra Cluster (India): Integrating green power with infrastructure for large-scale industrial projects.
Mumbai Green Hydrogen Cluster (India): Advancing the green hydrogen economy.
Port of Açu Low Carbon Hub (Brazil): Leveraging renewable energy resources to provide decarbonisation solutions.
Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands): Leading green hydrogen production and connecting renewable energy to industries.
Saraburi Sandbox (Thailand): Focused on reducing emissions, particularly in the cement sector.
The Solent Cluster (United Kingdom): Aiming to lead in low-carbon investments and job creation.
Tranzero Initiative (Sweden): Accelerating the transition to fossil-free industries and transport, starting with Gothenburg.
The report, Unleashing the Full Potential of Industrial Clusters: Infrastructure Solutions for Clean Energies, outlines strategies for scaling clean energy production, distribution, and consumption across clusters. It highlights the importance of port-based industrial ecosystems and digital innovation in supporting the clean energy transition.
Experts such as Stephanie Jamison from Accenture and Neva Espinoza from EPRI emphasised the need for collaboration and digital technology adoption to accelerate the deployment of net-zero infrastructure. The initiative focuses on the potential of industrial clusters to create sustainable economies by aligning stakeholders, securing funding and implementing regulatory support for clean energy transitions.
The Transitioning Industrial Clusters initiative seeks to foster collaboration among businesses and public institutions, driving economic growth, job creation, and CO2 reductions. By aligning on regulatory and funding strategies, the initiative aims to transition industrial clusters towards sustainable, net-zero economies.
The WEF’s Annual Meeting 2025 in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland, gathers global leaders to foster partnerships and explore themes like reimagining growth, investing in people, safeguarding the planet, and rebuilding trust.