On a global scale, the industrial sector is a crucial source of money, prosperity, and social value. About one-fourth of the world’s GDP and employment are produced by industrial firms, which also generate essential materials and items for our daily life, such as cement for our homes and workplaces, steel and plastic for our automobiles, and fertiliser to feed the world’s expanding population.
What is Decarbonization?
Decarbonization literally translates to carbon reduction. The transition to an economic system that sustainably lowers and compensates for carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is what is intended. A CO2-free global economy is a long-term objective.
Decarbonization entails a decrease in the usage of fossil fuels and an increase in the prevalence of low-carbon electricity generation. This calls for using renewable energy sources, such as biomass, solar electricity, and wind power.
Along with “cleaner” technologies, the widespread adoption of electric vehicles can also help cut down on the consumption of carbon power. Net zero emission targets can be reached more quickly and in accordance with regulatory requirements if carbon intensity in the power and transportation sectors is reduced.
The Challenge:
The majority of the world’s CO2 emissions are produced by the manufacturing industry. Manufacturing actually presents a carbon conundrum. On the one hand, fossil fuels and other natural resources are overused in industrial processes and products. On the other hand, industrial producers face higher operational risks due to the value chain’s increased carbon intensity.
The harm caused by greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) to the environment and living things has been thoroughly demonstrated by climate research. The carbon issue is now at the top of CXOs’ priority lists for business matters.
Conclusion
Decarbonization efforts have been accelerating in manufacturing sectors that produce electronic goods, metal goods, cars, food, and clothing. More companies are placing solar power generation systems on factory roofs as a way to provide immediate benefits as the usage of renewable energy spreads.
By replacing outdated equipment with new, highly energy-efficient items and providing the most recent technology, machine tool manufacturers and others are also aiming to contribute to energy conservation and greater productivity.
The smart factory movement is exemplified by them. IoT, 5G, AI, and other cutting-edge technologies are used in smart factories to connect all of their gear and equipment to the Internet and oversee their operations.
These industries significantly increase productivity, which helps to conserve electricity and cut CO2 emissions. Using industrial robots and artificial intelligence (AI) can assist to minimise CO2 emissions from production processes as well as industrial waste, non-standard product manufacture, and human mistake.
Startups have also developed platforms for managing the energy use on manufacturing floors as well as cloud services for calculating and visualising CO2 emissions. Future decarbonization in the manufacturing sector will pick up speed, and there will be even more demand for programmes and technologies to achieve carbon neutrality.
As per MoEFCC TOR requirement for the Industry-1 sector (Steel & Metallurgical Industries), it is mandatory to include a report on the Decarbonization program/ Carbon Footprint of the proposed expansion or a green field project in the EIA Report. This report shall also include the proposed strategy for the mitigation of GHG emissions.
The following is the MoEFCC TOR requirement:
“The project proponent shall submit a study report on the De-carbonization program, which would essentially include carbon emissions, carbon budgeting/ balancing, carbon sequestration activities and carbon capture, use and storage after offsetting strategies.
Further, the report shall also contain a time-bound action plan to reduce the carbon intensity of its operations and supply chains, energy transition pathway from fossil fuels to renewable energy etc. All these activities/ assessments should be measurable and monitorable with defined time frames.”
Pioneer Enviro is one of the leading Environmental Consulting firms in India, and we have successfully assisted in obtaining Environmental Clearance for 750+ projects across the country.
Our highly qualified and experienced team of environmental professionals helps you in preparing the report on the Decarbonization program for your Steel plant to obtain the environmental clearance certificate smoothly. Contact us today!
