Europe's energy-intensive industries (EIIs) are vital to its economy but contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. The EU's goal of climate neutrality by 2050, outlined in the European Green Deal and supported by initiatives like the Net-Zero Industry Act, requires coordinated action to decarbonise these sectors. The SET-IndEU project has been granted to support the SET Plan Implementation Working Group on Industry (IWG-Industry) by establishing a proactive Secretariat to enhance the group's outcomes. It aims to align European and national R&I priorities, foster synergies, strengthen collaboration with other working groups, and prevent duplication in industrial decarbonisation. SET-IndEU facilitates dialogue among Member States, industry, research organisations, and the Commission, while monitoring and revising the IWG-Industry Implementation Plan. The project also identifies barriers to deploying innovative solutions, promotes best practices, and encourages new cooperation models to integrate clean energy technologies. It focuses on widening participation by involving SMEs and civil society to ensure an inclusive transition. SET-IndEU incorporates Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) to address societal needs, regulatory frameworks, and policy coherence, ensuring that technological innovation drives sustainable societal transformation. The project will accelerate the decarbonisation of Europe’s industrial sectors, improve R&I investments, and reinforce industry’s role in shaping energy policies. By integrating societal dimensions, SET-IndEU ensures that industrial transformation is economically viable, socially acceptable, and aligned with the EU’s energy and climate objectives.
