Knowledge exchange and capacity building on best practices

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

International organisations and fora engaged in the sustainable energy transition are increasingly placing a priority on supporting the decarbonisation of the transport sector – with a strong focus being placed on electrification, followed by biofuel and potentially e-fuels.

Examples and initiatives

The Heavy-Duty Vehicles and Engines Hub within the Climate and Clean Air Coalition is an example of an initiative that aims to support knowledge exchange in the heavy-duty vehicle industry. This hub brings together a variety of stakeholders to reduce heavy-duty vehicle carbon emissions by increasing the adoption of cleaner fuel and vehicle emission standards. The activities undertaken by the hub include cross-sectoral stakeholder management, provision of access to technical expertise, and fostering of knowledge exchange.

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

Transferring knowledge and building capacity in different regions can take different forms to accelerate the decarbonisation of the shipping sector globally. This includes building institutional capacity, for instance to implement regulations by the IMO and skills development for adoption of fuels.

Examples and initiatives

The IMO’s Global MTTC Network (formerly Capacity Building for Climate Mitigation in the Maritime Shipping Industry) focuses on capacity development to improve compliance with IMO’s regulations, develop national policies, promote clean technologies and develop data collection programmes (European Commission, 2023a).

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

Knowledge transfer and capacity building among different stakeholders on technical challenges related to production, financing and regulatory practices can be important for the decarbonisation of the aviation industry globally. Organisations such as ICAO have established platforms to promote knowledge transfer on SAF, share best practices and build capacities within the industry.

Examples and initiatives

Participation in the ICAO Assistance, Capacity-building and Training for Sustainable Aviation Fuels programme has increased steadily since it was launched in 2021. As of March 2025, 106 ICAO member states and 123 organisations are part of the initiative. Several feasibility studies and business implementation reports for SAF scale up have been published as a part of this initiative.

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

To accelerate the transition towards more sustainable practices in green steel production, it is vital to exchange knowledge on low-carbon steel technologies, financing options and other best practices for greening the steel industry. Such an effort is crucial to accelerate the decarbonisation efforts in the emerging and developing regions. Key organisations are establishing knowledge platforms to promote knowledge transfer and build new capacities and skills on topics critical to the steel industry transformation.

Examples and initiatives

The Climate Club, launched at COP28, serves as a platform for high-level exchange on industry decarbonisation, working on different elements such as knowledge and capacity building. The Climate Club has also launched the Global Matchmaking Platform, which intends to support technical and financial assistance requests from emerging markets and developing economies, thereby facilitating projects that tackle hard-to-abate industries.

The Climate Club Financial Toolkit maps 28 financial instruments, linking them to implementation in the industrial sector (OECD/Climate Club, 2025).

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

To accelerate the transition towards more sustainable practices in low carbon chemicals production, it is vital to exchange knowledge on low-carbon chemical technologies, financing options and other best practices for greening the chemical and petrochemical industry. Such an effort is crucial to accelerate the decarbonisation efforts in the emerging and developing regions. Key organisations are establishing several knowledge platforms to promote knowledge transfer and build new capacities and skills on critical topics relevant to the chemical industry transformation.

Examples and initiatives

Together for Sustainability, an initiative of over 50 chemical companies, has launched the PCF Exchange solution to help companies calculate emissions across the supply chain (Rycke, 2024).

The Climate Club, launched at COP28, serves as a platform for high-level exchange on industry decarbonisation, working on different elements such as knowledge and capacity building.

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

To accelerate the transition towards more sustainable practices in green cement production, it is vital to exchange knowledge on low-carbon cement technologies, financing options and other best practices for low-carbon transition. Such an effort is crucial to accelerating the decarbonisation efforts in emerging markets and developing regions. Key organisations are establishing knowledge platforms to promote knowledge transfer and build new capacities and skills on critical topics relevant to the cement industry’s transformation.

Examples and initiatives

The Innovandi research network, initiated by the GCCA, brings together more than 40 universities and research institutions collaborating on cement decarbonisation technologies.

The GCCA and the World Cement Association have established dedicated knowledge-sharing platforms to support members in adopting best practices for low-carbon cement production.

The International Labour Organization’s Skills for Green Jobs initiative is working with governments and industries to embed sustainability training in workforce development. European countries like Cyprus, Germany and Ireland have integrated cement sector apprenticeships into national education systems.

The Cement and Concrete Breakthrough Initiative (COP28) is a multi-government partnership focused on accelerating knowledge sharing on low-carbon cement. It facilitates quarterly thematic dialogues to drive policy alignment and industry action (GCCA, 2024).