« Develop a comprehensive vision that will enable the SPLEEN framework to expand beyond France and address the decarbonization of industry on a global scale ».

The SPLEEN Think Tank was officially launched on September 5, 2025, to complement the PEPR’s research efforts with long-term strategic analysis of decarbonization pathways for industry.Bringing together experts and decision-makers from academia, public agencies, European and international institutions, as well as stakeholders in energy and sustainable development, it serves as a key forum for exchange between research, industry, and public policy.

Its mission is to identify emerging challenges and levers capable of accelerating the transition to a low-carbon industry. Beyond the evaluation of technologies, the Think Tank adopts a systemic approach integrating the economic, environmental, geopolitical, and societal dimensions of the transition.

Issues of competitiveness, value chain resilience, technological sovereignty, social acceptability, and international cooperation are central to its deliberations.

The Think Tank’s work aims to produce forward-looking analyses and strategic recommendations for public decision-makers.

SPLEEN Think Tank’s Priority Areas of Focus in 2026

To contribute to the discussion on the changes needed to decarbonize industry, the SPLEEN Think Tank has decided to focus its work in 2026 on two priority areas: the electrification of industry and the organization of industrial ecosystems.

The Electrification of Industry

Electrification, whether through the direct use of electricity or the use of low-carbon hydrogen, is one of the key drivers for decarbonizing industrial activities. However, its deployment raises technical, economic, and organizational challenges that require a coordinated approach at various levels.

The working group’s discussions aim to identify the conditions necessary to make electrification an effective, competitive decarbonization solution that can be adapted to the diversity of industrial sectors.

In this context, Saqib Rehan has joined the PEPR SPLEEN for a six-month internship at the CNRS beginning March 2, 2026. His study, titled “The Electrification of Industry: A Lever for Decarbonization,” serves as the primary basis for this working group’s deliberations in 2026.

The Structure of Industrial Ecosystems

The organization of industrial ecosystems is a key challenge in accelerating the transition toward a more sustainable industry. It raises questions about how businesses, local governments, and other stakeholders can cooperate to promote the development of industrial and regional ecological approaches.

The Think Tank’s work focuses on identifying the technical, organizational, and regulatory levers that can foster the emergence of resilient, resource-efficient industrial ecosystems compatible with decarbonization goals.