India Unveils Ambitious CCUS Policy to Combat Climate Change

New Delhi, Jul 13 (KNN) In a significant move towards addressing climate change, the Indian government is set to introduce a comprehensive policy framework for Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS). 

The policy, which comes as part of India's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, focuses on capturing CO2 from major industrial sources, particularly in the power and manufacturing sectors. These two areas alone account for approximately 50 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government and chair of the Prime Minister's Science, Technology & Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC), emphasised the critical need for widespread adoption of CCUS technologies across key industries. 

"We must take a mission-mode approach to integrate CCUS into our industrial landscape," Sood stated during a recent PM-STIAC meeting.

The policy framework includes several innovative features. A national portal for CCUS projects is being designed to unite stakeholders on a single platform. This will facilitate collaboration and information sharing across the industry. The framework also establishes specific emission reduction goals for various sectors, providing clear targets for industries to work towards.

To ensure the long-term viability of CCUS projects, the policy mandates life-cycle assessments. This approach will help identify potential challenges and opportunities throughout the lifespan of each project.

The government is also actively developing standards for carbon utilisation and transportation, recognising the need for comprehensive guidelines in these areas.

Another key aspect of the policy is its integration with India's emerging carbon market and credit scheme. This alignment aims to create economic incentives for businesses to adopt CCUS technologies, furthering the country's climate goals while stimulating green innovation.

The captured CO2 is expected to find primary use in the fertiliser industry, with additional applications in producing synthetic fuels, chemicals, and building materials. This multi-faceted approach not only aims to reduce emissions but also creates new economic opportunities in green technology.

Interestingly, while standards for carbon capture and storage are already in place, the government acknowledges that guidelines for utilisation and transportation are still in development. 

This highlights the evolving nature of CCUS technology and the government's commitment to staying at the forefront of climate innovation.

The policy's development involved extensive discussions among various ministries, including Environment, Earth Sciences, and Power, underscoring the cross-sectoral approach needed to tackle climate change effectively.

(KNN Bureau)