Policy Briefings and Reports
Outputs from IDRIC stakeholder dialogue and policy research, and external reports with IDRIC contributions.
Decarbonising UK Glass and Ceramics: Building an Evidence Base
Policy Report
September 2026
The UK glass and ceramics sectors are critical to the UK’s industrial base but face significant decarbonisation challenges due to their energy-intensive, high-temperature processes. While both sectors have made progress in energy efficiency and plans for decarbonisation, high energy costs, infrastructure constraints, long asset lifecycles, and international competitive pressures continue to limit deployment and investment. Participants highlighted the need for lower industrial energy costs, targeted financial support, clear long-term policy signals, and continued research and innovation
Recommendations for Policymakers to Accelerate Industrial Decarbonisation in the UK
Policy Report
September 2026
The UK must be at the forefront of industrial transformation to enhance economic and social wellbeing while also ensuring that this growth is environmentally sustainable. By drawing out insights from IDRIC’s 14-part Frontiers Reports series, this document sets out priority recommendations for policymakers that can help achieve industrial growth while also fulfilling UK’s decarbonisation goals. Since the Modern Industrial Strategy (MIS) is now the guiding framework for industrial progress in the UK, this report organises the recommendations around the four goals of the MIS, demonstrating how decarbonisation can be integrated with the industrial ambitions of the UK.
Potential of Consumer-Led Flexibility in Industry Report
Policy Report
September 2026
The report evaluates the practical potential for UK industry to support a low-carbon electricity system by adjusting electricity demand. Drawing on stakeholder workshops, interviews and sector case studies (cement and steel), the report identifies a gap between technical flexibility and commercial viability, driven by operational risks, uncertain revenues, data gaps and market rules misaligned with industrial processes. It recommends sector-specific mechanisms, stable incentives, improved digitalisation and closer integration of flexibility into industrial decarbonisation and electrification strategies.
Decarbonising the Ceramics Sector: Building an Evidence Base
Summary Report
February 2026
The IDRIC workshop on the UK ceramics sector highlighted that decarbonisation is uniquely challenging due to intrinsic process emissions that cannot be eliminated through fuel-switching alone. Although firms have made progress in decarbonisation planning and energy efficiency, further progress is constrained by increasing electricity and fuel costs, competition concerns infrastructure gaps and unclear policy signals, leaving firms unable to plan or invest with confidence. Opportunities to accelerate progress whilst staying competitive exist through targeted support, output-based incentives, SIC code reform and sustained Research and Innovation.
Decarbonising the Glass Sector: Building an Evidence Base
Summary Report
February 2026
The IDRIC workshop on the UK glass sector highlighted strong industry commitment to decarbonisation, with viable technologies already available. The main barriers are economic, including high energy costs, investment risks and weaker financial support compared to the EU. Participants called for coordinated cross-government policy to address these challenges. Without targeted support, there is a risk of industrial decline despite clear opportunities for a low-carbon transition.
Industrial Consumer-Led Flexibility Workshop
Summary Report
January 2026
The IDRIC Industrial Consumer-Led Flexibility workshop explored how industry can support a decarbonised energy system by 2030. Flexibility was highlighted as a designed and managed capability, integrated into engineering and operations rather than a simple add-on. With the right mechanisms and alignment to investment processes, industry can deliver flexibility through buffers, auxiliary systems and multi-vector approaches.
Industrial Decarbonisation: Challenges and Opportunities in Planning, Consenting and Permitting for a timely and sustainable transition
April 2025
This policy insight report provides an overview of key cross cutting challenges and opportunities for improving planning, consenting and permitting for industrial decarbonisation, bringing together insights from IDRIC stakeholder discussions with industry, regulators, and academics, including those working with local communities in industrial areas.
Carbon Accounting: Priorities, Challenges and Strategic Developments
October 2024
This briefing outlines the key priorities and challenges in the area of Carbon Accounting with a focus on the evolving policy landscape, which were discussed and deliberated in the Carbon Accounting Roundtable in 2023, in collaboration with one our projects MIP 8.8 ‘Creating a carbon framework for a decarbonised circular economy’.
Skills for Decarbonising UK
Industry
October 2024
A skilled workforce is needed for a timely transition to net zero, with particular demand for construction and engineering roles. This briefing highlights the challenges and potential solutions for ensuring we have the skills needed for industrial decarbonisation.
IDRIC Policy Synthesis Report for Scotland
Sept 2024
This report outlines priority areas for an integrated industrial decarbonisation policy strategy in Scotland, collating key insights from IDRIC’s stakeholder engagement and research findings.
Decarbonise now – the Industrial Mission Zero Network Report
Dec 2023
This report outlines the role of industrial decarbonisation for meeting the UK’s climate targets and sets out key policy recommendations. IDRIC was a member of the network and contributed to the writing of the report.
Grid constraints and industrial decarbonisation – Briefing note
Nov 2023
This briefing presents preliminary findings from IDRIC’s industry survey on experiences of grid constraints among industrial users, and the implications for their decarbonisation plans.
Overcoming investment barriers to industrial electrification – Insight report
March 2023
Synthesis of stakeholder discussions on key barriers to industrial electrification and policy action needed to ensure all industrial sites and sectors can decarbonise in time to meet the UK’s net zero targets while maintaining competitiveness.
Next steps for decarbonising UK industry – IDRIC Policy Synthesis Report
Dec 2022
This report presents key policy priority areas for industrial decarbonisation, synthesising insights from a year of stakeholder dialogue with IDRIC partners in industry, academia and governments.
Policy Briefings from across the IDRIC research portfolio
(coming soon)
please explore the IDRIC Knowledge Hub for further policy outputs.
