Accelerating the shift: industry transformation training for a climate-neutral future

Accelerating decarbonisation in both the industry and energy sectors is critical for achieving climate neutrality. This is especially relevant in regions where industrial growth drives economic development – and potentially increasing emissions. Taking early action can prevent carbon lock-ins and pave the way for sustainable, climate-aligned industrial growth.
While industrial decarbonisation is globally recognised as necessary, it remains relatively new territory for many think tanks. Strengthening their expertise and networks in this area is key to developing strategies and policy recommendations for industry transformation.
Against this backdrop, Agora Industry will host a five-day training programme tailored to experts from INETTT member think tanks, strengthening participants’ knowledge and skills needed to advance discussions on industry transformation in their countries. The training aims to create a learning and exchange environment for participants to foster cross-pollination amongst INETTT members and to build on existing analytical and policy work of Agora Industry and selected INETTT members. Participants will also have the opportunity to advance a decarbonisation challenge, enabling them to refine their industrial decarbonisation work and commit to actionable next steps.

On completion of the five-day training, participants will:  

• Be able to articulate and apply knowledge on context-specific industry decarbonisation pathways;
• Be equipped to critically assess and effectively communicate policy opportunities for advancing industrial transformation in their countries;
• Have sharpened one decarbonisation challenge, transforming ideas into concrete actions for industrial decarbonisation. 

Thematically, the training will support participants in engaging with: 

1. The big picture: The role of industry decarbonisation in the wider context of the transition to climate neutrality and how it links to the decarbonisation of the energy sector. 
2. Cross-cutting strategies and technologies such as energy efficiency, electrification, hydrogen, circular economy and carbon management, and how they are applied in key industrial subsectors such as steel, cement and chemicals.
3. Policy instruments supporting the transition to climate-neutral industries, including supply and demand-side policies such as carbon pricing or scale up lead markets for circular and low-carbon material.
4. International trade policy: The role of strategic partnerships for clean value chains and carbon border adjustments for governing trade rules for green products.
5. Social and key financial dimensions: The social implications and financial mechanisms supporting the shift to climate-neutral industrial production, ensuring a just transition.  

Methods 
The programme features a dynamic mix of interactive expert presentations, hands-on exercises, group work and facilitated discussions. We strive to create a supportive and informal learning environment where participants can learn with and from one another. Sharing experiences and best practices from local contexts is highly encouraged. Alongside our trainers from Agora Industry, we will collaborate with INETTT member organisations to co-design selected sessions, embedding Global South perspectives further into the programme.

The training programme is open to applicants currently working for or affiliated with an INETTT member think tank. The training is mainly targeted towards mid-career professionals with previous experience in think tank work.  

As we seek to increase participants’ knowledge and engage in discussing strategies to expand the impact of their institutions’ industry transition work, we ask that participants:

• are already actively engaged in public and policy debates on industry or energy transitions; 
• are eager to increase their knowledge and advance the discussions and developments on the industry transformation in their respective countries/regions; and 
• are considering deepening or developing future activities related to industry transitions in their organisations. 

As the training will be conducted in English, applicants must have sufficient English language communication skills.

The training will take place from 28 September- 2 October in Bangkok, Thailand. The training team will announce the exact venue at a later date.  

This is a full-time programme for 12 participants which requires full participation as sessions build on each other to ensure a comprehensive learning experience. The training programme will run from 9:00am to 5:00pm including catered lunch and coffee breaks.

Participation in the five-day training is free of charge. 

In addition, the following costs will be covered:

•  Up to seven nights of accommodation near the venue (Saturday, 26 Sep. - Saturday, 3 Oct. 2026); 
•  Breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks during training days; and
•  Reimbursement of international travel to Bangkok of up to EUR 1,300 per participant. 

Participants must cover:

•    Dinner expenses;
•    Visa costs (an invitation letter can be made available upon request);
•    Local transportation including airport transfers and travel within the city; 
•    Personal and incidental expenses (e.g., travel or health insurance) and
•    Travel costs exceeding EUR 1,300

Only applications from INETTT member think tanks that are submitted via the "apply for this job" button will be taken into account.


For any questions, kindly reach out to us at info(at)agora-training(dot)org.