At COP29 in Baku, the Mission Innovation (MI) initiative presented the Net-Zero Industries Award 2024 for the second time, recognizing outstanding contributions to industrial decarbonization on a global stage. The ceremony highlighted the crucial role of innovations and individuals driving significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and pioneering pathways for climate-neutral industries.
Highlights from the Net-Zero Industries Award
Austrian Minister for Climate Protection, Leonore Gewessler, emphasized the importance of innovation and international collaboration in her opening remarks:
“Decarbonizing industry requires collective action and innovative solutions. The winners of this year’s Net-Zero Industries Award show us that progress is possible, and their pioneering work paves the way for a greener, more sustainable future. Congratulations to all the awardees—you are trailblazers inspiring bold steps toward a climate-neutral future.”
With 70 entries from 26 countries, the award showcased the broad international commitment to transforming heavy industry. Winners in the three categories—Outstanding Projects, Best Innovators, and Young Talents—were announced in a celebratory event:
Young Talents
1st Place: Dr. Cameron Halliday, Co-Founder & CEO, Mantel, USA
Dr. Halliday focuses on sustainable solutions for CO₂ capture in hard-to-decarbonize industries. His company, Mantel Capture, leverages cutting-edge technology using liquid borates for high-temperature CO₂ capture, promising significant emission reductions in sectors like steel, cement, and petrochemicals.
2nd Place: Dr. Pouriya H. Niknam, University of Lincoln, UK
3rd Place: Dr. Guillermo Martinez Castilla, European Commission, Netherlands
Best Innovators
1st Place: Prof. Karen Scrivener, Head of Laboratory for Construction Materials, EPFL, Switzerland
Prof. Scrivener is an inspiring innovator promoting diversity and mentoring in her field. Her lab has welcomed researchers from over 40 countries and drives sustainable cement solutions. She also founded EPFL-WISH to support women in science and connects research and industry through initiatives like Innovandi.
2nd Place: Dr. Elizabeth Gilligan, CEO, Material Evolution, UK
3rd Place: Dr. Etosha Cave, Co-Founder & CSO, Twelve, USA
Outstanding Projects
1st Place: ZESTY – Zero Emissions Steel Technology, Calix Ltd, Australia
The ZESTY technology, developed in partnership with industry and research organizations, has the potential to revolutionize near-zero emissions steel production. The award was accepted by Phil Hodgson, CEO of Calix.
2nd Place: Steelanol – Converting Steel Plant Gas to Ethanol, ArcelorMittal, Belgium
3rd Place: 5 MW Electrolysis Demonstration with Stanwell, Hysata, Australia
Special Award for the Global South
The project SOLAR CLINKER, which uses solar radiation for CO₂-free clinker production, was honored for its advancements in industrial decarbonization in the Global South.
Click here to see the video recording of the award ceremony.
Austrian Net-Zero Industries Award Winners
Austrian winners were recognized in all three categories during COP29:
- Outstanding Project: CCUpScale CO₂ to Value by RHI Magnesita
- Best Innovator: Tara Esterl, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology and NEFI-New Energy for Industry
- Young Talent: Sophie Knöttner, AIT Austrian Institute of Technology
These awardees will be celebrated at the event “Climate-Ready Industry: Research and Development for the Industry of the Future” on January 28, 2025, in Linz, Austria.
About Mission Innovation and the Net-Zero Industries Mission
Mission Innovation (MI) is a global initiative of 23 countries and the European Commission, aiming to accelerate innovations in energy technologies. Within MI, the Net-Zero Industries Mission was launched in 2022 as the first global innovation alliance for climate-neutral industries.
Led by Austria and Australia, in collaboration with partners like the EU, Canada, China, Finland, Germany, South Korea, the UK, and the USA, the mission aims to implement at least 50 large-scale demonstration projects by 2030.
The mission also publishes roadmaps and action plans to guide progress toward its goals, including the Country Insight Report 2024, which provides detailed analysis of energy-intensive sectors in member countries.
Learn More
- Net-Zero Industries Mission: Country Insight Report 2024
- Mission Innovation Website
- COP29 and Net-Zero Industries Award in BMK Infothek
Read this article in German here.
