Offsetting Carbon Footprints: Exploring CCUS Challenges and Solutions Across Diverse Industries in India

Amidst the surge in global carbon emissions, this study meticulously investigates the challenges and presents innovative solutions for mitigating carbon footprints across a wide spectrum of industries in India. The year 2022 witnessed a significant spike of 321Mt in global CO2 emissions from energy sectors, underscoring the urgent need for transformative actions. With nations worldwide committing to net-zero targets, the spotlight intensifies on groundbreaking technologies, notably Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS), as indispensable tools for achieving substantial reductions in CO2 emissions on a large scale. This chapter specifically delves into the critical role that CCUS technologies play in mitigating carbon footprints across diverse industrial sectors. Focusing on India, currently the third-largest global CO2 emitter, the study offers a comprehensive review of the initiatives undertaken by the Indian government, the policy frameworks in place, and the ongoing research efforts aimed at promoting the development of CCUS. Despite being in the early stages of deployment, India has witnessed noteworthy strides in CCUS adoption, spearheaded by government institutions, public sector units, and key private enterprises such as Tata Steel and Carbon Clean. In India, the forefront of CCUS technology development is championed by esteemed institutions including DST, DBT, and NALCO alongside corporate entities like Tata Steel and Dalmia Cement. This exploration not only identifies the challenges inherent in the deployment of CCUS but also accentuates the pivotal role that these technologies play in steering India toward a sustainable and low-carbon future within its diverse industrial landscape. As this study unfolds, it highlights the evolving narrative of CCUS technologies as transformative agents in the pursuit of environmental sustainability and carbon neutrality.