The Indian government is preparing to implement a policy framework for carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) initiatives within the country. The power ministry will serve as the nodal agency for overseeing the implementation of these initiatives. CCUS refers to a set of technologies that capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from large industrial sources, such as power plants and manufacturing facilities, preventing them from entering the atmosphere. The captured CO2 can be utilized in various applications, including fertilizer production, synthetic fuel creation, chemical synthesis, and the production of building materials.
Globally, the power and industrial sectors account for approximately 50% of all greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The effective deployment of CCUS technologies has the potential to significantly contribute to India’s emission reduction targets and ultimately support its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. Recognizing the importance of CCUS in decarbonizing hard-to-abate industries such as cement, iron and steel, chemicals, and power, the Prime Minister’s Science, Technology & Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) convened a meeting on Tuesday to discuss its various aspects.
During the meeting, chaired by Principal Scientific Advisor Ajay Kumar Sood, the council decided to establish a national portal dedicated to CCUS projects. This portal will serve as a central platform for all stakeholders involved in CCUS activities, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing. The meeting also addressed India’s carbon market and carbon credit scheme, which aims to reduce emissions, promote a low-carbon path, and incentivize the development and adoption of mitigation methods and technologies.
Sood emphasized the need to accelerate the nationwide adoption of CCUS technologies through a mission-mode approach. Participants from various ministries, including the environment, earth sciences, and power ministries, highlighted the importance of identifying suitable technologies and conducting life-cycle assessments of CCUS projects. The meeting acknowledged that while standards for carbon capture and storage are already established, standards for carbon utilization and transportation are still under development.
