Decarbonisation of industrial clusters: A place-based research agenda

Abstract

Decarbonisation of industrial clusters is crucial for climate change mitigation and net zero policy goals, involving the deployment of technologies including hydrogen and carbon capture, utilisation and storage. Industrial clusters co-locate large-scale facilities for electricity generation and distribution, oil refineries and the manufacturing and distribution of products including fertilisers, glass, plastics and aerosols. Given the geographical, co-located rationale of industrial clusters, this perspective argues that adopting a place-based approach is fundamental to the success of industrial decarbonisation. The place-based approach offers two significant advantages. First, it provides conceptual and methodological tools to guide industrial decarbonisation in ways that are grounded in the social sciences. Second, it can assist with joining up diverse policy goals - mitigating climate change, enabling economic prosperity and reducing regional inequalities. Three conceptual pillars of this approach are identified - ontology, place-making and sense of place. An illustrative case study draws on this approach to critically assess the emergence of the concept of ‘SuperPlaces’ in UK policy discourse. The article concludes by proposing a research agenda that can inform policy making and practice in ways that go beyond a superficial or ephemeral appropriation of place. In doing so, this agenda can enable emissions reduction in ways that are considered fair and acceptable by local communities.