Finding the pathway to sustainability through Green Steel

The Ministry of Steel organised an event in Delhi to promote Green Steel, which discussed on sustainable practices and new ideas and methods to decarbonise India’s steel industry.

The event “Greening Steel: Pathway to Sustainability” successfully hosted by the Ministry of Steel at C.D. Deshmukh Hall, India International Centre, New Delhi. Prominent figures from the steel industry, academia, think tanks, CPSEs, Ministries, and institutions participated at the event. The report titled “Greening the Steel Sector in India: Roadmap and Action Plan” is presented by the chief guest, Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries, H. D. Kumaraswamy.

The publication of the report “Greening the Steel Sector in India: Roadmap and Action Plan” by Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries, H. D. Kumaraswamy, is the event’s high point. The Ministry of Steel’s 14 Task Forces’ suggestions served as the foundation for the preparation of the report. It includes a thorough plan for decarbonising the steel industry in India. The report focusses on the several facets of carbon emissions in India’s steel industry.

The current situation and difficulties of the Indian steel industry are highlighted, along with the sector’s carbon footprint and the difficulties in decarbonisation. Key decarbonisation levers are examined, such as process transition, energy efficiency, renewable energy, material efficiency, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), and the application of biochar and green hydrogen. Additionally, technological improvements that can help reduce emissions are highlighted, exhibiting the most recent developments in this area. The conversation also touches on policy frameworks, looking at current regulations and making recommendations for possible improvements to aid in the decarbonisation process. A sustainable steel industry is envisioned, with a focus on the roles that different stakeholders might play in accomplishing these objectives. Lastly, a roadmap and action plan specify the tactics and measures that the government and business sector must take.

In keeping with India’s Nationally Determined Commitments (NDC) to attain net-zero emissions, the Ministry of Steel is dedicated to implementing the tactics and action plan given in the Report to lower carbon emissions. The designing and directing of the Indian steel industry’s transition to a low-carbon future will be greatly aided by this report.

Technical session and event proceedings

Vinod K. Tripathi, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Steel, gave an introductory speech to kick off the event. Neha Verma, Director, Ministry of Steel, then gave a report presentation. Sanjay Singh, a former secretary of steel, chaired a technical session titled “Leadership and Innovation: Driving the Green Steel Transition.” The important role that inventiveness and visionary leadership play in promoting sustainable steel manufacturing was discussed in this session. Distinguished professionals from various fields participated on the panel, including Dr. Anshu Bharadwaj, Project Director at Niti Aayog; Shri Abhay Bakre, Mission Director at NGHM; Dr. Saurabh Kundu, CSO of Tata Steel; Shri Prabodha Acharya, CSO of JSW; and Vaibhav Pokharna, Senior Lead Sustainability at AMNS. The session is moderated by Shri Dhruba Purkayastha, Director at CEEW.

Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries presentes Task Force Chairpersons with awards during the occasion, recognising their tremendous accomplishments. In his speech, Secretary Steel talks about the difficulties in lowering carbon emissions and underlined how urgent it is to start decarbonising today while technology is still developing. He also emphasises the necessity of increasing demand for green steel in order to persuade steel manufacturers to switch to sustainable production methods. Among the dignitaries are Amrendu Prakash, Chairman of SAIL, and N. N. Sinha, former Secretary of Steel, who both shared their opinions along with insightful commentary on the green transformation of the Indian steel industry.

Ultimately, in his speech, Union Minister of Steel and Heavy Industries Shri H. D. Kumaraswamy emphasises that the steel industry’s requirement for low-carbon, sustainable development is now a must rather than an option. In order to achieve climate goals, he urged the industry to adopt a comprehensive strategy that includes collaborative innovation, process optimisation, cleaner energy sources, and the circular economy.

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