Leading the green transition of high-emission industries through international partnerships

LeadIT is a global initiative that unites governments and companies committed to achieving net-zero emissions in the heavy industry sector. It was launched by Sweden and India at the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019 and provides a platform for public-private collaboration, helping industries align with the Paris Agreement and accelerate a just and equitable decarbonization of industry.

LeadIT’s mission is to enable a just, inclusive, and equitable industrial transition. Through partnerships, knowledge sharing, and capacity building, LeadIT helps countries and companies develop low-carbon roadmaps, mobilize green finance, and track progress toward net-zero by 2050.

Heavy industries are highly energy-intensive, and a reliance on fossil fuels means they are responsible for nearly 30% of global CO₂ emissions. They are also some of the hardest sectors to decarbonize. LeadIT takes a global focus on these sectors to accelerate the development of scalable solutions, reduce process emissions, and support innovation and technology co-development.

Under LeadIT 2.0, which was launched in 2023 by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, we focus on three strategic pillars:
Global Forum for Just & Equitable Transition - promoting inclusion, capacity building, and shared learning.
Technology Transfer & Co-Development - enabling the exchange of clean industrial technologies.
Industry Transition Partnerships - accelerating action in emerging economies through collaboration and finance.
Through these priorities, we aim to unlock investment, scale clean technologies, and ensure a fair and competitive global transition to net-zero industries.

LeadIT drives climate action in heavy industry through research, tools, and partnerships. We bring together governments, companies, and experts to accelerate the shift toward net-zero emissions. Through high-level dialogues, we connect policymakers, industry leaders, and investors to foster collaboration and build bilateral and multilateral partnerships among different stakeholders. LeadIT provides practical tools, such as industry transition roadmaps and progress trackers, we support policy development, capacity building in emerging and developing economies, and technology transfer, whilst fostering international partnerships that enable investment, innovation, and knowledge sharing.

LeadIT stands out because it works to bridge policy, finance, and industry action by encouraging public–private partnerships at both global and national levels. It promotes knowledge sharing and technology transfer across industries and boundaries. It focuses on a just and equitable transition, ensuring inclusivity and fairness.

Stay connected by following LeadIT on LinkedIn and signing up for our quarterly newsletter. Governments and companies interested in joining LeadIT can submit an expression of interest to the Secretariat. We also welcome stakeholders to collaborate with us on research, policy dialogues, and pilot projects that support a sustainable industrial future.