Busan, Republic of Korea — 25–27 August 2025
Marking ten years of Mission Innovation, the Net-Zero Industries Mission (NIM) joined ministers, industry and research leaders at the 16th Clean Energy Ministerial and the 10th Mission Innovation Ministerial (CEM16/MI-10) — together with international partner organisations including the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and UNIDO. Across ministerial panels and MI Innovation Tracks, discussions centred on concrete pathways to decarbonise energy-intensive sectors.
Mission updates and announcements highlighted demonstrable progress over recent years and outlined a clear pipeline for the next phase. NIM also contributed to exchanges on enabling environments and on the role of AI and digitalisation in industry — showing how policy, finance and technology can pull solutions into markets.
What we delivered
Active participation across MI sessions and Innovation Tracks. We reported on NIM progress and aligned with sister Missions on cross-cutting priorities such as industrial electrification, clean hydrogen and digital/AI-enabled efficiency.
Showcasing member momentum. We highlighted the NIM Award and, with members and partners, discussed initiatives ranging from new funds and collaborations to proposals for joint calls and global R&D networks — alongside efforts to link demand-side measures with concrete industrial projects.
Visibility for innovators. We presented the third edition of the Net-Zero Industries Award 2025, inviting breakthrough projects and talents to apply. The Award remains a key instrument to surface scalable solutions in hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement and chemicals.
Collaborations
Funding and policy pathways. Members outlined measures that help bring innovation to market, including demand-side instruments — public procurement, lead markets and clear scaling pathways — that complement R&D and demonstration.
Stronger international ties. Collaboration platforms across Europe and with MI countries continue to provide effective channels for co-funding, data sharing and knowledge exchange, reinforcing international cooperation on industrial decarbonisation.
A systems perspective. Cross-mission work is integrating electrification, hydrogen and AI with sustainability and resilience, delivering whole-system benefits for heavy industry.
Key takeaways
- Mission Innovation’s collaborative model adds tangible value by advancing technology maturity, improving market access and accelerating the exchange of data and know-how.
- Stronger international cooperation — within MI and CEM and in dialogue with global processes — is essential to move faster from pilots to deployment, in both industrialised and developing economies.
- System needs remain central: addressing energy poverty, building advanced grids for high shares of renewables and rising electricity demand, and ensuring secure, sustainable access to critical materials.
What’s next
Building on the momentum from Busan, NIM will deepen cross-mission collaboration on electrification, hydrogen and digital solutions; support policies and finance that bring innovations to market; and continue to spotlight exemplary projects through the Net-Zero Industries Award on the road to COP30 in Brazil.
Follow us on LinkedIn for ongoing updates, project insights, and global decarbonisation highlights.
Further links
- Mission Innovation – Impact Report
- Net-Zero Industries Award 2025 — Learn more & apply: Net-Zero Industries Award 2025 – Net-Zero Industries Mission.
