Union Minister of Steel Jyotiraditya Scindia on December 19 told Rajya Sabha that the government was considering mandating the use of “green steel” in government projects.
- The emissions from iron and steel sector for the year 2016 was135.420 million tonnes CO2 as reported in India’s latest Biennial Update Reports (BURs) to UN.
- Emissions from the steel industry have been brought down by 15% between 2005 and 2022 and Centre targets an additional 10% reduction in emissions by 2030.
- Energy consumption per tonne of steel produced has also come down as well as emission intensity in terms of CO.
- Essentially, green steel is the manufacturing of steel without the use of fossil fuels.
Strategy towards green steel
- Ministry of Steel is committed to Net-Zero target by 2070.
- In short term (FY 2030), reduction of carbon emissions in steel industry through promotion of energy and resource efficiency, renewable energy etc. is the focus.
- For the medium term (2030-2047), Green Hydrogen and Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage are the focus areas.
- For long term (2047-2070), disruptive alternative technological innovations can help achieve the transition to net-zero.
Steps taken for promoting decarbonization in steel industry
- Steel Scrap Recycling Policy, 2019 enhances the availability of domestically generated scrap to reduce the consumption of coal in steel making.
- Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has announced National Green Hydrogen Mission for green hydrogen production and usage. The steel sector has also been made a stakeholder in the Mission.
- Motor Vehicles (Registration and Functions of Vehicles Scrapping Facility) Rules September 2021, shall increase availability of scrap in the steel sector.
- National Solar Mission launched by MNRE in January 2010 promotes the use of solar energy and also helps reduce the emission of steel industry.
- Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme, under National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, incentivizes steel industry to reduce energy consumption.
- The steel sector has adopted the Best Available Technologies (BAT) available globally, in the modernisation& expansions projects.
- Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO) Model Projects for Energy Efficiency Improvement have been implemented in steel plants.
