So much so that the climate action leader has furthered its sustainability mandate by launching large-scale decarbonization and operational pilots that will be implemented across sites.
BCG’s Approach to Decarbonization
Leading companies are proving that net zero decarbonization is a business opportunity that can bring sustainable competitive advantage. They aren’t just creating more value; they’re changing the game in their industries by showing the way to a profitable, decarbonized future.
At BCG, we take a highly sector- and company-specific approach to decarbonization, since each organization’s operating environment, assets, and regulatory constraints are unique. Our work often begins by shaping a tailored decarbonization strategy that aligns environmental ambition with clear business objectives. We help companies deploy decarbonization methods to reduce the carbon intensity of their operations and activities across the full value chain, and we help identify new business opportunities that can deliver sizable revenue streams.
We focus on a variety of high-impact decarbonization solutions, all of which represent both decarbonization levers and growth opportunities. They include:
Bioenergy
By utilizing organic materials and waste, bioenergy provides sustainable solutions to decarbonize operations. Bioenergy and biofuels can be integrated into existing infrastructure, enabling a smooth energy transition along the entire value chain—including feedstock growth and collection, biofuels and biogas refining, and marketing.
Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and Carbon Removals
Carbon capture and removal technologies are essential to reaching the "net" in net zero—especially for hard-to-abate emissions. Scaling these decarbonization solutions to the levels needed by 2050 won’t break the bank but will require multiple stakeholders to work together across the value chain to drive technology, market development, and capital project execution. We help clients unlock commercial value through pragmatic strategies, high-impact partnerships, and large-scale delivery support.
Energy Storage
Batteries and other forms of energy storage are crucial to the small- and large-scale deployment of renewable energy and decarbonization efforts worldwide. Energy storage offers substantial business opportunities for a wide range of market players—not just auto and utilities—and delivers a clear first-mover advantage.
Green Building Materials and Construction
Massive opportunities exist to reduce the carbon footprint in the way we build our buildings and infrastructure. However, prioritizing low-carbon materials—such as cement, concrete, steel, and ceramics—and decarbonizing the supply chain and the way we build requires strong cross-industry collaboration and forward-thinking investments.
Green Building Technology and Renewable Heat
The built environment is responsible for approximately a third of global carbon emissions each year—and the majority of these emissions are released during the operation and maintenance phase of a building. Decarbonization solutions for buildings already exist, making net zero buildings an achievable goal; however, stakeholders must accelerate adoption and deployment.
Green Industrial Heat
Industrial heat accounts for a significant share of global emissions—yet remains one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize. With rising carbon costs, regulatory pressure, and maturing technologies, companies now have a window to transition profitably. We help clients identify and implement the right green heat solutions—such as electrification, biomethane, and hybrid systems—unlocking cost savings, reducing emissions, and securing long-term competitiveness.
Hydrogen and E-fuels
By 2050, an estimated 380 million tons per year of decarbonized hydrogen and other low-carbon fuels will be required to limit global warming. To meet future demand, companies must overcome hurdles related to
cost management, infrastructure, supply chains, and feedstocks.
Low-Carbon Energy Sourcing
Reducing Scope 2 emissions—typically from electricity use—is one of the most cost-effective steps toward net zero. Procuring renewable electricity not only supports decarbonization goals, but also provides long-term cost certainty, helping protect against fossil fuel price spikes and carbon cost volatility. We help clients design renewable strategies that create business value through stable pricing, improved ESG performance, and a future-ready energy mix.
Nuclear
As the energy transition accelerates, nuclear is re-emerging as a reliable, low-carbon power source with growing commercial interest—from large-scale reactors to new modular technologies. Yet success hinges on managing complexity, cost, and stakeholder expectations. We support clients across the full nuclear value chain with strategic insights and world-class large capital project capabilities—helping de-risk investments, accelerate delivery, and capture long-term value in a fast-evolving energy landscape.
Renewables and Low-carbon Solutions
The global energy landscape is undergoing a profound transformation. Developing and operating renewable energies at scale is key to realizing the decarbonization of societies. We support the shaping of renewable business opportunities with deep commercial, technical, and regulatory expertise to help companies identify the right strategies, investments, and operating models for low-carbon and renewable energy.
We also help clients deploy forward-thinking decarbonization methods in sustainable operations—which reduce emissions across the product life cycle, increase sustainability in procurement and supply chain, enhance operational efficiency, and help transition to the circular economy—as well as nature-based solutions.
Our Clients’ Success in Decarbonization
A leading steel manufacturer, and one of the fastest-growing companies in the world, committed to deep decarbonization by reducing its CO2 emissions by more than 40% by 2030. BCG helped the company eliminate 9 million tons of CO2 from a single steel plant, and this successful decarbonization strategy is now being replicated across the entire organization.
Video
May 8, 2024
Video
May 6, 2024
The Danish startup, a leading biomethane producer, employs an innovative energy-cluster concept to meet local needs—and is planning a global expansion.
Our Partnership Supporting Decarbonization
In this film, BCG and the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping explore how the maritime sector must merge sustainability with competitiveness. Collaboration and partnerships are key.
Our Insights on Decarbonization Solutions
Article
April 22, 2025
Top performers adopt cost-efficient abatement activities, one of several practices that put them on track to hit self-imposed greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets by 2030.
Article
December 10, 2024
Maritime transportation could become a key part of the carbon capture value chain, especially in Asia-Pacific.
Article
November 4, 2024
Companies that abate their methane emissions early can gain a significant competitive advantage. We’ve identified six steps that can ensure the abatement journey is a success.
Video
October 18, 2024
Insights from the 2024 BCG + CO2 AI Carbon Emissions Survey
Charlotte Degot of CO2 AI and BCG’s Diana Dimitrova discuss the survey’s findings and explain how AI is transforming decarbonization efforts.
Article
September 30, 2024
These aren’t traditional capital projects—so, to succeed, companies need to deploy new collaborative approaches, capabilities, and tools.
Video
October 18, 2024
Decarbonizing the Shipping Industry Is Possible
Some of the world’s biggest shipping companies are working together to enact systemic change, explains Tanja Ebbe Dalgaard of the Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping.
Meet Our Decarbonization Consulting Leadership Team
BCG’s decarbonization consulting team has deep expertise in accelerating the path to net zero decarbonization, deep decarbonization, industrial decarbonization, hydrogen, carbon capture, and biofuels. Here are some of our experts in decarbonization.
