Sector-specific emission reduction targets

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

National and regional governments have started implementing incentives for meeting targets for zero-emission trucks. Under the global Memorandum of Understanding on Zero-Emission Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles, around 25 countries have pledged to introduce zero-emission trucks and buses by 2040 (IEA, 2023c).

Examples and initiatives

In California, the Advanced Clean Trucks policy requires manufacturers to reach a sales goal of at least 40% zero-emission trucks by 2035, while the Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation Act bans fleet operators from purchasing diesel heavy-duty trucks by 2036.

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

The decarbonisation of shipping is gaining momentum, with several stakeholders, both public and private, taking steps to reduce emissions. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), the United Nations body for regulating international shipping, has a strategy calling for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from ships of at least 20% (striving for 30%), compared to 2008 levels, by 2030 to achieve net-zero emissions by around 2050.

Examples and initiatives

Globally, the 83rd session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee, held in April 2025, approved draft regulations for a global fuel standard that mandates shipping greater than 5 000 gross tonnage to reduce its Greenhouse Gas Fuel Intensity (GFI), measured as well-to-wake energy used on board (IMO, 2025).

In the EU, the FuelEU Maritime Regulation stipulates that ships larger than 5 000 tonnes should reduce their life-cycle intensity by 2% by 2025, compared to the 2020 baseline; this stipulated reduction increases gradually, ultimately reaching 80% by 2050.

Several other countries have outlined detailed plans to reduce emissions from shipping in their national action plans, submitted to the IMO. For instance, Norway has announced a goal to reduce emissions from shipping by 50% compared to the 2005 baseline.

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

Decarbonising aviation is gaining momentum, with several stakeholders, both public and private, taking steps to reduce emissions. The ICAO and its members have developed the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), adopted a long-term aspirational goal for international aviation, and adopted the ICAO Global Framework for Sustainable Aviation Fuels (ICAO, 2023b).

Examples and initiatives

Starting January 2027, Brazil aims to reduce emissions from its domestic aviation sector by 1% per year, using emissions in 2026 as the baseline. The target may be increased to 10% by 2037 (Presidência da República, 2024).

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

Despite the vast majority of the world’s steel capacity coming from countries committed to achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century, only a fraction of countries’ nationally determined contributions (NDCs) today include industry sector-specific emission reduction targets and measures. The new revisions of country climate plans as part of the NDC 3.0, to be submitted by September 2025, present an opportunity to include quantifiable targets for industry sectors, including iron and steel (UNIDO, 2025).

Examples and initiatives

The NDC3.0 Guidebook for Industrial Decarbonization by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s guides countries through the process of including realistic, industry-specific targets and plans (UNIDO, 2025).

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

Several governments have established decarbonisation targets, strategies and policies that apply to their domestic industries. However, only a few of them contain targets and policies explicitly aimed at the chemical and petrochemical sector. This leaves substantial room for progress on this front. For instance, the new revisions of country climate plans as part of the NDC 3.0, to be submitted by September 2025, present an opportunity to include quantifiable targets specifically for chemical and petrochemical sector (UNIDO, 2025).

Examples and initiatives

Key sector-specific targets and strategies include France’s 31% emissions cut by 2030 for its chemical industry, the EU’s Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, Japan’s circularity initiatives under its Green Transformation, and the United Kingdom’s roadmap for decarbonising and improving energy efficiency in the chemicals sector (BEIZ, 2017; CNI, 2021; ECHA, 2022; REI, 2024).

UNIDO’s NDC 3.0 guidebook for industrial decarbonization guides emerging markets and developing economies through the process of including realistic, industry-specific targets and plans (UNIDO, 2025).

Current status of implementation and existing gaps

While many governments have “net-zero by mid-century” commitments, they rarely feature a dedicated roadmap specific to industry sectors. Most countries’ climate pledges (nationally determined contributions) do not yet include explicit reduction targets for the cement sector. The new revisions of country climate plans as part of the NDC 3.0, to be submitted by September 2025, present an opportunity to include quantifiable targets for this sector (UNIDO, 2025).

Examples and initiatives

Canada’s Roadmap to Net-Zero Carbon Concrete by 2050 was set as part of the Cement and Concrete Breakthrough Initiative launched at COP28 (Cement Association of Canada, 2022).

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s NDC 3.0 Guidebook for Industrial Decarbonization toolkit guides emerging markets and developing economies through the process of including realistic, industry-specific targets and plans (UNIDO, 2025).

The Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA) 2050 Net Zero Roadmap sets voluntary mid-century net-zero goals for the global cement and concrete industry (GCCA, 2024).