Our Story

The Energy Transitions Commission is is launched to turn climate ambition into practical decarbonisation pathways. Its first paper, Shaping Energy Transitions, shows that falling costs and technological progress make a zero-carbon electricity system achievable.

In Pathways From Paris, ETC analyses national climate pledges and identifies the key policies needed to accelerate emissions reductions.

ETC’s landmark report, Mission Possible, shows that steel, aluminium, chemicals, cement and long-distance transport can reach net-zero by mid-century. The analysis demonstrates to business and policymakers that decarbonising energy-intensive sectors is technically and economically feasible.

ETC expands its regional work. With the Rocky Mountain Institute, the ETC outlines a pathway for China to fully decarbonise its economy while sustaining growth. With TERI and Climate Policy Initiative, the ETC identifies how energy flexibility can enable a reliable, low-cost clean power system in India.

These studies helped build confidence that large emerging economies can achieve zero-emissions development pathways, supported by sustained policy action and investment that have driven China’s and India’s rapid growth in clean energy and electrification.

The ETC helps to launch the Mission Possible Partnership alongside RMI, We Mean Business Coalition and World Economic Forum, translating 1.5°C-aligned pathways into sectoral action across heavy industry and long-distance transport.

In Making Mission Possible, the ETC shows that clean electrification will drive most decarbonisation, supported by clean hydrogen, sustainable biomass and carbon capture.

ETC launches a series on Clean Electrification, Hydrogen, Bioresources, Carbon Dioxide Removals, and Carbon Capture and Storage, helping to establish electrification as the backbone of decarbonisation and assessing which technologies can scale fastest and most affordably to achieve a net zero by mid-century.

As a knowledge partner to the UK COP26 Presidency, the ETC publishes Keeping 1.5°C Alive, identifying six priority actions that could cut 2030 emissions by ~20 Gt beyond current commitments.

Industrial decarbonisation begins moving from theory to real-world deployment. The ETC visits its member organisations, Volvo and SSAB, in Sweden, showcasing electric heavy-duty trucks and hydrogen-based green steel production.

These developments reflect the influence of ETC’s earlier sector analysis, reinforcing its role as a convener linking evidence, industry and policy action.

The ETC explores how to overcome barriers in the energy transition, showing that permitting can be accelerated, finance mobilised, critical raw materials and clean technology supply chain constraints managed, and fossil fuel use reduced rapidly in a well-managed transition.

At COP28, governments agreed to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, reflecting growing focus on implementation. The ETC also collaborated with Climateworks Centre to map competitive net-zero pathways for Australian industry.

The ETC’s Credible Contributions calls for stronger industry–government collaboration to raise climate ambition and increase clean energy investment, particularly in middle- and low-income countries through the Global Climate Finance Pledge (NCQG). This work informs COP29 discussions and reinforces ETC’s role as a trusted advisor.

The ETC strengthens the evidence base for clean electrification as the backbone of resilient, competitive net-zero economies. Its analysis shows that Transforming Power Systems, Decarbonising Buildings, and improving Energy Productivity can cut emissions, lower system costs and improve energy security. The ETC also explore the remaining role of Carbon Molecules in producing essential fuels and materials in a highly electrified world.

Over 10 years, ETC has helped provide the evidence, shape policy frameworks and mobilise industry and regional partnerships needed to decarbonise power, industry and transport. The Commission is committed to keeping global warming well below 2°C by accelerating the solutions that will scale the global energy transition.