Radboud Summer School on “Decarbonising Industry: Technology, Policy, and Societal Readiness”

Energy-intensive industry is core to the European and global economy, being a substantive contributor to the GDPs of many developed and emerging economies and employing millions. Yet it is also a sector which is under immense pressure and needs to be transformed: It is responsible for around a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, while needing to be close to zero by 2050. If Europe and the globe are to meet its net-zero targets, a fast transition to a climate-neutral industry must take place. This is an interdisciplinary challenge par excellence, and the need for expertise to address it will only continue to grow.

Therefore, this course will provide a robust and in-depth understanding into how industry can be decarbonised, and what it will entail, from various disciplinary perspectives including: transition studies, economics, engineering, chemistry, political science, and social psychology. This will take place over five days and will consist of in-depth presentations by experts, and group projects in which participants will develop an interdisciplinary decarbonisation strategy and pathway for an industrial cluster, suggesting policies and technologies, and accounting for challenges, societal considerations, and economic realities. The course will then finish off with a keynote speaker and final presentations. Over the course of the five days key aspects of industrial transitions will be looked at such as recent policy developments, policy instruments, business models, the technologies and key methods required to reduce carbon emissions from industry (in general and by sector), societal readiness, and just transitions.

By the end of the course participants will be equipped with the necessary insight and expertise to understand the multi-disciplinary approach which is needed to effectively decarbonise industry. The course itself is co-hosted by Radboud University, Eindhoven University of Technology (the Eindhoven Institute of Renewable Energy Systems) and Climate Strategies, in collaboration with the Climate-Friendly Materials Platform(verwijst naar een andere website) and the Horizon 2020 C4U project(verwijst naar een andere website)*. It will draw on experts from globally recognised universities and research centres such as UCL and DIW, and will involve speakers from industry, politics, and environmental organisations.

• This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 884418.

Prof. Heleen de ConinckTechnology, Innovation & Society, Eindhoven University of Technology & Department of Environmental Science, Radboud University

After this course you will be able to:

• Understand and explain what opportunities and challenges decarbonisation poses for energy-intensive industries, such as steel, chemicals, and cement/concrete.
• Reflect on policy and societal engagement aspects of industrial climate transitions.
• Draw up evidence-based advice on how an industrial cluster can best respond to the decarbonisation challenge.
• Answer key questions related to the policy and technological requirements for industry decarbonisation.

• Master (advanced)
• PhD
• Post-doc (junior)
• Professional

Advanced master’s students, PhD candidates, young professionals and postdocs who want to gain a broad understanding of the challenges and opportunities of decarbonising industry, as they aim to contribute to the realisation of a climate-neutral industry, through their research or their current or future employment.

Proven interest in industrial decarbonisation, as evidenced by e.g. a master thesis, a publication, previous courses followed, or a motivation letter.

• Motivation letter
• CV

11 – 15 July 2022

1 June 2022

For this course three Radboud Summer School Sustainabilty Scholarships are available donated by the Radboud Fund. This Fund supports initiatives related with Radboud University and Radboud Univerversity medical centre, that contribute to a free, healthy world with equal opportunities for all. The scholarship consists of a full waiver of the course fee. Selection criteria include your personal motivation and the reasons why you need the scholarship to be able to join the course. On our scholarship page you can find more information and how to apply for the scholarship. Please note that the deadline for applying for the scholarship is 1 April 2022.

€ 400,-

• 10% early bird discount for all applicants
• 25% discount early bird discount for: - students and PhD candidates from partner universities(verwijst naar een andere website) and Radboud University - alumni of Radboud Summer School and Radboud University

This course will be offered on campus.

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