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Decarbonising the steel sector in India
India is the world’s second largest steel producer. With ambitious infrastructure and development goals driving steel demand, the country’s choices will shape global climate progress. It has the opportunity to pioneer green steel solutions that work for emerging economies.
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Why is it important?
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India is the 2nd largest steelmaker in the world
2024
In 2024, the Indian Ministry of Steel launched a first of its kind, Green Steel Taxonomy
140m
India produces 140 million tonnes of steel annually, a significant contributor to the country’s emissions
12%
India’s steel sector accounts for 12 per cent of the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions
We founded the India Green Steel Network to bring together civil society, think tanks, and the private sector to unlock the transition to greener steel in India.
The Challenges
- India is the world’s second largest producer of steel. As the country continues to develop and grow, so will its demand for steel. In fact, steel production is expected to triple by 2050.
- India’s steel industry relies heavily on coal, which powers over 85 per cent of production. Ending coal’s dominance in the sector requires new technology, but also coordinated changes in energy generation, industrial policy, and workforce development, all while maintaining the competitiveness of this vital economic sector.
- India has taken pioneering steps towards defining green steel standards. Having launched a first of its kind [Green Steel Taxonomy] which establishes clear criteria for what qualifies as low-emission steel production. However the industry still lacks concrete policy support, infrastructure investment and technical roadmaps needed to translate these standards into meaningful change at scale.
“We worked with Climate Catalyst on a study to assess the potential of shipbreaking as a source of scrap steel in India. Their willingness to support a project exploring a relatively untested area such as shipbreaking shows their commitment to new and promising ideas. It was a pleasure working alongside them.”
Abhas Sinha
The Climate Group
From our learning content
Learn more about reducing climate pollution in steel
Ways to get involved
Is your organisation interested in driving the transition to green steel? Learn more about the India Green Steel Network today, and work with like minded organisations to grow our collective impact.
Are you interested in learning more about sustainable financing for steel decarbonisation and driving forward investor action? Contact abhinav@climatecatalyst.org for more information.
Are you interested in working on green public procurement of low-carbon steel? We’re exploring the successful implementation of such policies across the world and analysing the potential lessons for policy makers in India. Explore these insights or get in touch with nandan@climatecatalyst.org
