Breakthrough Agenda Report 2023

This Breakthrough Agenda Report 2023, the second in an annual series, assesses progress on international collaboration in seven major emitting sectors. This includes the five sectors covered in last year’s report – power, hydrogen, road transport, steel and agriculture – as well as buildings and cement. Should countries agree to work together towards breakthrough goals in these new sectors, as is now being considered, the Breakthrough Agenda will cover 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

This report is a joint product of the International Energy Agency (IEA), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions. Each organisation has brought its own expertise to assess progress in international collaboration, and to deliver clear recommendations for the actions that governments and non-state actors need to take together. It also draws on global expertise generously shared by governments, businesses and civil society organisations active in each of the sectors covered.

Overall, the report finds only modest progress in strengthening international collaboration in these sectors. There have been some examples of good progress, which can provide a blueprint for other sectors and initiatives. These include collaboration on standards and definitions for near-zero emission green steel and low-carbon hydrogen, the trade of used internal combustion engine vehicles, and rising commitments to invest in research and development in several sectors.

There remains significant scope for stronger international collaboration in all sectors. This requires greater commitment and participation from all involved. The priorities include governments and businesses sending stronger, collective demand signals for sustainable products (such as low carbon hydrogen, steel and cement); a continued improvement in the coordination, scale, and effectiveness of financial and technical assistance provided to developing countries; stronger, more sustained public-private collaboration on research and innovation across several sectors; and targeted collaboration on trade.