In the "Roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050", the European Commission sets out a plan to meet the long-term target of reducing domestic emissions by 80 to 95% by 2050. The industry and manufacturing sector has significantly reduced its emissions through efficiency improvements. However, large mitigation potentials are yet to be realised.

Some progressive companies and other actors are beginning to explore solutions for reductions in emissions, energy or resource use, which usually go along with cost reductions and hence competitiveness effects. For this, innovative processes and products within industry branches and in regions where industry branches are concentrated need to be facilitated and accelerated.

Therefore, this research aims to understand innovation potentials and dynamics related to climate mitigation and/or energy transition goals within industries. The focus of the research is specifically on the influence of the regional innovation system on the innovation process. Hence, examples will be described where innovation potentials for industry process and products leading to carbon mitigation have been explored and realised, resulting in new business opportunities or improved market positions due to lower costs; and contribute to a better understanding of drivers and barriers behind these innovation processes. As a final step, the Wuppertal Institute will conceptualise and implement a workshop about the outcomes of the research for stakeholders.