Exploring techno-economic landscapes of abatement options for hard-to-electrify sectors

Abstract Approximately 20% of global CO2 emissions originate from sectors often labeled as hard-to-abate, which are challenging or impossible to electrify. Alternative abatement options are necessary for these sectors but face critical bottlenecks, particularly concerning the availability and cost o...

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Main Authors: Clara Bachorz, Philipp C. Verpoort, Gunnar Luderer, Falko Ueckerdt
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Nature Communications
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59277-1
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author Clara Bachorz
Philipp C. Verpoort
Gunnar Luderer
Falko Ueckerdt
author_facet Clara Bachorz
Philipp C. Verpoort
Gunnar Luderer
Falko Ueckerdt
author_sort Clara Bachorz
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Approximately 20% of global CO2 emissions originate from sectors often labeled as hard-to-abate, which are challenging or impossible to electrify. Alternative abatement options are necessary for these sectors but face critical bottlenecks, particularly concerning the availability and cost of low-emission hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and non-fossil CO2 for synthetic fuels or carbon-dioxide removal. In this study, we conduct a broad techno-economic analysis, mapping abatement options and hard-to-electrify sectors while addressing associated technological uncertainties. Our findings reveal a diverse mitigation landscape that can be categorized into three tiers, based on the abatement cost and technologies required. By requiring long-term climate neutrality through simple conditions, the mitigation landscape narrows substantially, with single options dominating each sector. This clarity justifies targeted political support for sector-specific abatement options, increasing investment security for transforming hard-to-electrify sectors.
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spelling doaj-art-fb244efc549c4a0791076aa43d27cf2c2025-08-20T01:47:29ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-04-0116111410.1038/s41467-025-59277-1Exploring techno-economic landscapes of abatement options for hard-to-electrify sectorsClara Bachorz0Philipp C. Verpoort1Gunnar Luderer2Falko Ueckerdt3Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact ResearchPotsdam Institute for Climate Impact ResearchPotsdam Institute for Climate Impact ResearchPotsdam Institute for Climate Impact ResearchAbstract Approximately 20% of global CO2 emissions originate from sectors often labeled as hard-to-abate, which are challenging or impossible to electrify. Alternative abatement options are necessary for these sectors but face critical bottlenecks, particularly concerning the availability and cost of low-emission hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and non-fossil CO2 for synthetic fuels or carbon-dioxide removal. In this study, we conduct a broad techno-economic analysis, mapping abatement options and hard-to-electrify sectors while addressing associated technological uncertainties. Our findings reveal a diverse mitigation landscape that can be categorized into three tiers, based on the abatement cost and technologies required. By requiring long-term climate neutrality through simple conditions, the mitigation landscape narrows substantially, with single options dominating each sector. This clarity justifies targeted political support for sector-specific abatement options, increasing investment security for transforming hard-to-electrify sectors.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59277-1
spellingShingle Clara Bachorz
Philipp C. Verpoort
Gunnar Luderer
Falko Ueckerdt
Exploring techno-economic landscapes of abatement options for hard-to-electrify sectors
Nature Communications
title Exploring techno-economic landscapes of abatement options for hard-to-electrify sectors
title_full Exploring techno-economic landscapes of abatement options for hard-to-electrify sectors
title_fullStr Exploring techno-economic landscapes of abatement options for hard-to-electrify sectors
title_full_unstemmed Exploring techno-economic landscapes of abatement options for hard-to-electrify sectors
title_short Exploring techno-economic landscapes of abatement options for hard-to-electrify sectors
title_sort exploring techno economic landscapes of abatement options for hard to electrify sectors
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-59277-1
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AT falkoueckerdt exploringtechnoeconomiclandscapesofabatementoptionsforhardtoelectrifysectors