Strategies and key factors to achieve carbon neutrality for an industrial company: a systematic literature review

The industrial sector is one of the most significant greenhouse gas emitters, accounting for about 20% of total CO2 emissions. The challenging objectives imposed by the European community require companies operating in the industrial sector to implement necessary and timely actions to achieve Paris Agreement targets. If the goal is clear, the strategies and actions that companies must undertake are in the process of being outlined. Through a Systematic Literature Review (SRL), this work aims to identify the key factors to be considered for a company operating in the industrial sector to implement a decarbonization strategy. The SLR allowed us to analyze the state-of-the-art technologies and processes currently used in the industrial scenario and the most innovative and promising enabling technologies such as heat pumps, CO2 capture technology, and hydrogen production. Furthermore, other relevant aspects such as continuous research to improve energy performance, responsible energy management, and waste management like waste heat recovery also emerged. These topics will play a fundamental role in achieving carbon neutrality, along with technological innovation. The results are collected in a comprehensive database to provide examples for implementing strategies to become carbon neutral through concepts and empirical evidence available in the scientific literature.