A new white paper, Decarbonizing Manufacturing and Supply Chains for Growth: Guide for C-suite Executives, published by the World Economic Forum in collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services, sets out the business case for industrial decarbonization, showing how it can improve efficiency, strengthen resilience and create opportunities for growth and competitive advantage. Drawing on industry insights and real-world case studies, the report provides senior executives with a practical approach for turning decarbonization ambition into measurable business value.
Key findings from the report include:
- The green economy now exceeds $5 trillion annually and is growing at twice the pace of conventional revenues. Yet while two-thirds of the world’s largest publicly listed companies have net-zero targets, only 8% have decarbonization plans and just 4% have allocated working capital to deliver them.
- Drawing on insights from consultations with over 50 industry leaders, academic experts and innovators across 13 industrial sectors, the report identifies three sources of business value from decarbonization: bottom-line gains, business continuity and resilience, and top-line growth.
- The report compares 10 practical decarbonization solutions across business value, greenhouse-gas reduction potential and implementation complexity, helping executives prioritize where to act and invest.
- The three-level phased approach outlined in the report helps manufacturers move from quick efficiency wins, through renewable and clean energy transition, to net-zero leadership and resilient growth.
- Six real-world case studies demonstrate how decarbonization can translate into business value, including a 107% ROI from Foxconn Industrial Internet’s eco-design platform, a 43% increase in production capacity and 17% reduction in transformation costs at Beko’s Eskişehir factory, and products and services with demonstrated environmental benefits accounting for 75% of Schneider Electric’s total revenues in 2025.
Anupam Singhal, President — Manufacturing, Tata Consultancy Services, said: “Many manufacturers still face a conundrum: how to decarbonize complex industrial value chains while protecting margins and sustaining growth. We need to reframe decarbonization as a value-creation strategy that can strengthen operational efficiency, reduce exposure to energy and supply risks, and unlock new revenue opportunities. This report gives senior leaders a practical pathway to navigate implementation complexity and turn decarbonization ambition into measurable business outcomes.”
About the research
This white paper was developed by the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Supply Chains, in collaboration with Tata Consultancy Services. Findings draw on over 50 consultations with global manufacturers, supply chain leaders, academics, civil society and policymakers across 13 industrial sectors.
