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Data year: 2023· Sources: CDP, IEA, EPA
21%
of global emissions
11.7
Gt CO2e / year
85
tCO2e / $M revenue
30%
Scope 3 share
Average emissions intensity for manufacturing & industrial companies (2023 data)
| Company Size | tCO2e / employee | tCO2e / $M revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Small manufacturer (< 100 employees) | 20 | 120 |
| Mid-size (100–5,000 employees) | 35 | 85 |
| Large industrial (5,000+) | 55 | 60 |
Small manufacturer (< 100 employees)
20
tCO2e / employee
120
tCO2e / $M rev
Mid-size (100–5,000 employees)
35
tCO2e / employee
85
tCO2e / $M rev
Large industrial (5,000+)
55
tCO2e / employee
60
tCO2e / $M rev
Key decarbonization actions for the manufacturing & industrial sector
Electrify process heat where possible
20-40% reduction in Scope 1
Switch to renewable electricity (PPA or on-site)
80-100% reduction in Scope 2
Energy efficiency retrofits and waste heat recovery
10-20% total reduction
Circular manufacturing — reduce virgin material use
15-30% reduction in Scope 3
Hydrogen for high-temperature processes (steel, cement)
50-90% reduction for specific processes
Heavy industry sub-sectors (steel, cement, chemicals) face the hardest decarbonization challenges and account for the bulk of manufacturing emissions.
Manufacturing and industrial processes account for approximately 21% of global GHG emissions (about 11.7 Gt CO2e), making it the largest single sector after energy generation.
Process heat (burning fossil fuels for high-temperature processes like steel and cement), electricity consumption for machinery, and raw material extraction and processing.
Key strategies include electrifying process heat, switching to renewable electricity, improving energy efficiency, adopting circular manufacturing practices, and using hydrogen for high-temperature processes.
It varies widely: 20 tCO2e/employee for small light manufacturers up to 55+ tCO2e/employee for large heavy industrial operations.
Data represents global averages for 2023. Actual emissions vary by company, region, and methodology.