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First Movers Coalition

First Movers Coalition: Establishes demand-side procurement commitments for emerging clean technologies

Maílis Carrilho
Written by Maílis Carrilho
Published Mar 16, 2026

Summary

The First Movers Coalition mobilizes corporate purchasing commitments to accelerate the deployment of low-carbon technologies in hard-to-abate sectors. Companies commit to procuring defined volumes of near-zero-emission materials, fuels, and technologies by 2030 and beyond. The initiative uses demand-side market signals to stimulate industrial decarbonization.

Details

Jurisdictions
  • Global
Mandatory for

Companies joining the initiative must formally commit to procurement targets defined by the coalition’s sector frameworks.

Voluntary for

Participation is voluntary.

Deep dive

2 min read
Published Mar 16, 2026

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What’s Required

The First Movers Coalition was launched by the World Economic Forum in partnership with the United States government to mobilize corporate purchasing power in support of early-stage clean technologies.

The initiative focuses on sectors where technological solutions for decarbonisation are emerging but not yet commercially competitive.

Participating companies must commit to purchasing a specified percentage of low-carbon products or services by the defined target years.

Sector-specific commitments include:

  • Sustainable aviation fuel procurement targets for airlines and corporate aviation users.

  • Near-zero-emission steel procurement commitments for construction and manufacturing companies.

  • Zero-emission shipping fuel commitments for companies reliant on maritime logistics.

  • Low-carbon aluminium procurement targets for industrial supply chains.

  • Direct air capture carbon removal purchase commitments for corporate climate strategies.

  • Members must also disclose procurement strategies, explaining how they will meet these commitments.

  • Companies must incorporate these procurement targets into supply chain contracts and long-term purchasing agreements.

  • The initiative provides methodological guidance defining what qualifies as a near-zero-emission product within each sector.

  • Companies are also expected to collaborate with suppliers to accelerate the deployment of emerging low-carbon technologies.

Important Deadlines

Launch of First Movers Coalition: 2021

Sector procurement targets typically apply to milestones between 2030 and 2040, depending on the technology pathway.

Annual reporting is required to monitor progress toward commitments.

Current Status

The coalition includes major multinational corporations across sectors, including aviation, logistics, manufacturing, and technology.

These companies collectively represent significant purchasing power capable of influencing global clean technology markets.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

The coalition relies primarily on reputational accountability and transparency.

Failure to meet commitments may affect a company’s credibility in climate leadership initiatives.

Examples of Known Violations

Typical implementation challenges include:

  • limited availability of low-carbon materials in global supply chains.

  • uncertainty regarding certification standards for emerging technologies.

  • misalignment between procurement targets and operational requirements.

  • delays in infrastructure deployment required to support new fuels or materials.

Resources


Maílis Carrilho
Added by:
Maílis Carrilho
Sustainability Research Analyst
Maílis Carrilho is a Sustainability Research Analyst (Intern) at Net Zero Compare, contributing research and analysis on climate tech, carbon policies, and sustainable solutions. She supports the team in developing fact-based content and insights to help companies and readers navigate the evolving sustainability landscape.
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Added on Mar 16, 2026 by Maílis Carrilho ·