Decarb4SME+ – Building know-how for the twin transformation of manufacturing and industry – climate neutrality and digitalization

The manufacturing and industrial sectors are key pillars of the Austrian economy, employing over 700,000 people and contributing 18% to the country’s gross value added. At the same time, these sectors are responsible for nearly 30% of Austria’s greenhouse gas emissions and around one third of total energy consumption. In light of ambitious climate targets, rising energy costs, and increasing regulatory requirements, companies are under pressure to decarbonize their production processes and significantly improve their energy efficiency.

The Decarb4SME+ project addresses these challenges through a tailored qualification programme specifically designed for the needs of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The goal is to empower employees to identify and leverage energy-saving potentials, evaluate alternative technologies, and develop a realistic and long-term decarbonisation strategy for their companies. The programme emphasises not only knowledge development, but also active exchange between business and science, as well as peer learning among participating companies within a collaborative network.

The qualification programme is built around three key themes:

1. Decarbonising the corporate value chain: through efficiency measures and technologies for the use of renewable energy sources.
2. Digitalisation as an enabler of transformation: including the use of digital twins, energy monitoring, and data-based tools.
3. Employee qualification: to actively support and implement decarbonisation measures in day-to-day business.

Programme Design
The qualification consists of ten coordinated modules delivered over a two-year period. This combination of in-depth knowledge transfer, practical application, and individual guidance allows sufficient time for planning and implementation within the company. Upon completion, participating companies ideally possess a customised decarbonisation roadmap that outlines specific pathways toward climate neutrality and can be continuously refined and expanded.

Learning Outcomes and Benefits for Companies:

• Analysis of the current status of energy and resource consumption
• Identification and evaluation of optimisation potentials
• Knowledge of relevant technologies for GHG reduction
• Development and implementation of internal training measures
• Know-how to create and apply a company-specific decarbonisation strategy
• Use of digital tools and energy management systems
• Sustainable integration of climate measures into the company’s core strategy
• Active knowledge exchange with peers and research partners

Decarb4SME+ provides SMEs with a low-threshold, hands-on entry point into the complex challenge of climate-neutral transformation – practical, technology-neutral, and network-based.