CCUS Crucial in Reducing Emissions in Indian Cement Sector and Achieving Net Zero by 2070: NITI Aayog
A NITI Aayog workshop on ‘Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) in the Indian Cement Sector’ highlighted CCUS as a critical solution for decarbonising the cement industry, which contributes 5.8 percent of India’s CO₂ emissions, and emphasised its role in meeting the nation’s net-zero target by 2070.
January 18, 2025. By Mrinmoy Dey
He also underscored the pivotal role of research and development in advancing carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS) technologies to achieve these objectives.
The workshop is part of India’s ongoing efforts to achieve its net-zero target of 2070 and ensure a sustainable future. Decarbonising the cement sector is vital for meeting the country's long-term environmental goals, and to achieve that, CCUS needs to play a crucial role in reducing emissions in the cement sector.
The objective of the workshop was to discuss sector-specific approaches to decarbonisation and explore CCUS technologies as a cornerstone of India's strategy to reduce emissions by tailoring solutions to the unique challenges and opportunities in the cement sector.
The Indian cement industry plays a vital role in the country’s development, supporting infrastructure and urbanisation. With an installed capacity of 600 million tonnes and production of 391 million tonnes of cement in 2022-23, the cement sector plays a key role in the country's economy and contributes approximately 5.8 percent of India's CO₂ emissions.
A significant portion of these emissions can be eliminated through the commercialisation of technologies like kiln electrification and solar fuel, and more efficient production of clinker may help the cement sector move closer towards net zero, but they alone are insufficient. It is estimated that 35-45 percent of the sector’s total emissions will require CCUS as an essential abatement lever.
“India has immense potential for CCUS, with regions like the Krishna-Godavari Basin, Deccan Traps, and mature oil and gas fields offering substantial CO₂ storage capacity. By leveraging this potential and adopting innovative CO₂ utilisation pathways—such as producing methanol, biodegradable plastics, and value-added chemicals—the cement sector can pave the way for a sustainable, low-carbon future,” said Niti Aayog in a statement.
Dr. V.K. Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog, emphasised the essential role of carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), along with clean technology, in reducing emissions. Highlighting the significant role of the Asia-Pacific region in the growing global cement market, he pointed out the potential for CCUS applications within India's cement sector.
He also outlined possible pathways to achieve the country's net-zero target by 2070 and stressed the crucial importance of carbon pricing and climate finance as indispensable tools for decarbonising India's cement industry.
Ranjith Rath, CMD, Oil India Ltd., emphasised the urgency of innovative carbon capture and storage solutions, exploring geo-sequestration techniques and multidisciplinary approaches to mitigate emissions and achieve global climate goals.
The discussions also highlighted the role of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) in developing CCUS technologies in the country. DST has also set up a Centre of Excellence on ‘Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Sequestration’ Cross-disciplinary Initiatives to address the mitigation of CO2 emissions to achieve Net Zero aspirations of the Indian Government.
The workshop addressed several critical topics such as CCUS technologies and associated challenges and feasibility, financing of CCUS in India, CO₂ utilisation and storage, and the vision for CCUS in cement.
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