Many countries have adopted international targets to reduce CO₂ emissions, as laid down under the Kyoto Protocol. The European Union has pledged to reduce its (average) emissions by eight per cent by 2012 compared with 1990. At the regional level, the Rotterdam Climate Initiative is taking this target to a higher level, spurred on by the international Clinton Climate Initiative, a foundation set up by former US president Bill Clinton. The CCI is collaborating with the C40 Large Cities Climate Leadership Group, an alliance of 40 major cities around the world seeking to address climate change by developing and implementing measures to achieve more rapid cuts in CO₂ emissions.

Technologies, processes and projects in line with this objective are welcome at Plant One.