Clusters in context: Towards a typology of industrial decarbonisation initiatives

Abstract Policy‐makers and researchers are increasingly focused on the decarbonisation of clusters of energy‐intensive industries. However, relatively little is known about the trajectory of different cluster decarbonisation initiatives. This paper aims to bring clarity to an emerging field. It high...

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Main Authors: Imogen Rattle, Peter G. Taylor
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-01-01
Series:Geo: Geography and Environment
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/geo2.70000
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author Imogen Rattle
Peter G. Taylor
author_facet Imogen Rattle
Peter G. Taylor
author_sort Imogen Rattle
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Policy‐makers and researchers are increasingly focused on the decarbonisation of clusters of energy‐intensive industries. However, relatively little is known about the trajectory of different cluster decarbonisation initiatives. This paper aims to bring clarity to an emerging field. It highlights the evolving landscape of industrial decarbonisation initiatives, and the growing importance of clear definitions for effective communication and knowledge exchange among stakeholders. Drawing on insights from cluster theory, it proposes a typology of industrial cluster decarbonisation initiatives to understand and categorise different types of project. These four categories— ‘forerunner clusters’, ‘dispersed clusters’, ‘classic clusters’ and ‘dispersed sites’—allow a more focused understanding of the policy implications and challenges associated with each type. To demonstrate the application of the typology, the paper presents profiles of three cluster initiatives that illustrate some of the dynamics involved. Through this work, we seek to provide guidance for future research and policy development in the transition towards a low‐carbon industrial future.
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spelling doaj-art-7ecce1fc8a394692a84d50029fe8f1bd2025-08-20T03:24:03ZengWileyGeo: Geography and Environment2054-40492025-01-01121n/an/a10.1002/geo2.70000Clusters in context: Towards a typology of industrial decarbonisation initiativesImogen Rattle0Peter G. Taylor1Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment University of Leeds Leeds UKSustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment University of Leeds Leeds UKAbstract Policy‐makers and researchers are increasingly focused on the decarbonisation of clusters of energy‐intensive industries. However, relatively little is known about the trajectory of different cluster decarbonisation initiatives. This paper aims to bring clarity to an emerging field. It highlights the evolving landscape of industrial decarbonisation initiatives, and the growing importance of clear definitions for effective communication and knowledge exchange among stakeholders. Drawing on insights from cluster theory, it proposes a typology of industrial cluster decarbonisation initiatives to understand and categorise different types of project. These four categories— ‘forerunner clusters’, ‘dispersed clusters’, ‘classic clusters’ and ‘dispersed sites’—allow a more focused understanding of the policy implications and challenges associated with each type. To demonstrate the application of the typology, the paper presents profiles of three cluster initiatives that illustrate some of the dynamics involved. Through this work, we seek to provide guidance for future research and policy development in the transition towards a low‐carbon industrial future.https://doi.org/10.1002/geo2.70000clusterglobalhubindustrial decarbonisationpolicytypology
spellingShingle Imogen Rattle
Peter G. Taylor
Clusters in context: Towards a typology of industrial decarbonisation initiatives
Geo: Geography and Environment
cluster
global
hub
industrial decarbonisation
policy
typology
title Clusters in context: Towards a typology of industrial decarbonisation initiatives
title_full Clusters in context: Towards a typology of industrial decarbonisation initiatives
title_fullStr Clusters in context: Towards a typology of industrial decarbonisation initiatives
title_full_unstemmed Clusters in context: Towards a typology of industrial decarbonisation initiatives
title_short Clusters in context: Towards a typology of industrial decarbonisation initiatives
title_sort clusters in context towards a typology of industrial decarbonisation initiatives
topic cluster
global
hub
industrial decarbonisation
policy
typology
url https://doi.org/10.1002/geo2.70000
work_keys_str_mv AT imogenrattle clustersincontexttowardsatypologyofindustrialdecarbonisationinitiatives
AT petergtaylor clustersincontexttowardsatypologyofindustrialdecarbonisationinitiatives