How The Clean Heat Program Will Accelerate Decarbonisation

As the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and new SEC disclosure rules intensify scrutiny, suppliers that fail to align with buyers’ net zero pathways risk losing contracts. This is where decarbonisation of industrial heat comes into the spotlight as a key factor in maintaining competitiveness and safeguarding against regulatory and financial risks.

“Decarbonising heat is now business critical,” says Emily Prior, Chief Growth Officer, Secaro. 

“It is an essential way to protect revenue, reduce exposure to energy price shocks, and stay ahead of regulation and investor and customer expectations.”

In response to this, global pharmaceutical leader AstraZeneca, supply chain intelligence platform Secaro and sustainability consultancy ERM have launched the Clean Heat Program.

"The initiative aims to close critical gaps in heat decarbonisation across global supply chains – helping businesses strengthen energy security, manage price volatility and accelerate emissions reductions in one of industry’s most carbon-intensive areas.

Data-driven decarbonisation

Secaro’s extensive environmental supply chain database – encompassing new heat-specific insights – forms the digital backbone of the programme. 

Its data collection, analytics and solution recommendation tools, together with a network of more than 8,000 buyers, suppliers and solution providers, will help identify high-impact decarbonisation opportunities. 

ERM will provide the deep technical assessments needed to translate data insights into investable projects and measurable outcomes.

“By combining Secaro’s data with ERM’s technical expertise, we can accelerate the delivery of heat decarbonisation projects that have historically struggled to move beyond preliminary assessment,” says Jon Hughes, Partner at ERM.

“The Clean Heat Program will provide clients with the practical implementation support required to decarbonise industrial heat while strengthening resilience, reducing risk and unlocking value across the supply chain.” 

As a founding partner, AstraZeneca will have early access to the programme’s resources and expertise, enabling it to drive collective action among its suppliers and peers. The company will also gain a structured pathway to help suppliers act where emissions reductions have previously stalled.

Tackling an overlooked emissions hotspot

Industrial process heat accounts for roughly 18% of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet progress in its decarbonisation has been limited. 

According to preliminary data from Secaro’s pharmaceutical programme, around 80% of facility emissions fall under Scope 1, with 60% stemming from natural gas use. Fewer than 10% of sites currently rely on biofuels or other renewable energy sources – and industry forecasts suggest renewable heat may reach only 15% by 2028 unless decisive action is taken.

“Many organisations are looking at heat in isolation, comparing the current gas bill to a full switch to biomethane for example,” Emily says. 

“In order to succeed in decarbonising supply chain heat, businesses need to take a more holistic approach that starts with efficiency, and then moves to decarbonised fuels, so that the economics work. 

“As part of this programme, businesses will have access to a range of financing solutions, including access to the EU-based heat decarbonisation fund and off-balance-sheet financing partners.”

One major obstacle is financial – heat projects often struggle to attract investment because they deliver longer-term rather than immediate payback. While on-site teams can identify aging boilers or potential upgrades, fragmented project scopes frequently fall below the scale needed to unlock capital.

The Clean Heat Program addresses these systemic barriers by combining robust data intelligence, technical expertise and collaborative investment pathways. 

"It's clear that a programme like this is the fastest and most effective way to decarbonise heat in our supply chain," says Rob Williams, Senior Director of Sustainable Procurement at AstraZeneca. 

“We are long-term partners with Secaro and ERM, and now we're expanding relationships with peers, buyers from other industries and suppliers to plan, fund and launch the projects that will make heat decarbonisation a reality. 

“This level of collaboration is essential."