A primary approach to decarbonizing a plant (reducing gas emissions per unit of energy generated) is to increase the share of renewable energy.

According to the think-tank Ember and the Agora Energiewende Institute, in 2020 the share of renewable energy sources (RES) in electricity generation in Europe had for the first time in history exceeded that of fossil fuels (coal and natural gas) — 38% vs. 37%, respectively.

Companies from various countries are literally "competing" to see who can present the most ambitious project to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For example, steel giant ArcelorMittal has started developing a technology for producing low-carbon steel. Its competitors from ThyssenKrupp and RWE put forth a process for making cast pig iron using hydrogen. Rusal has already has launched production of a low-carbon aluminum grade.

Airlines, specifically, Lufthansa, are engaged in development of new aviation fuels, diamond miners are working on the technology to capture carbon dioxide using processed kimberlite, and cement producers offer new compositions of "carbon-neutral" cement with mineral additives.