In 2019, carbon emissions from India’s cement sector recorded a high of 144 million metric tonnes of CO2, and in 2020 it fell to 123 MtCO2. What might seem like a piece of good news on face value is actually a worrisome one. The emissions were low in 2020 due to the lockdown, and despite the reduction, the Indian cement industry was the second largest polluter in the world. In an irony of sorts, India ranks low in the per capita consumption of cement but it is the second largest cement manufacturing country. However, the demand for cement is estimated to grow manifold in the near future, thanks to the rising urban population. And that brings us back to the question of carbon emissions. The world is applauding the voluntary efforts taken by Indian players in becoming carbon efficient but a lot is yet to be achieved.

One of the important considerations to curb carbon emissions is technology. The Reserve Bank of India has recommended that there is a need to align India’s economic goal with its climate commitments by implementing emerging green tech solutions. Studies suggest that capturing the CO2 emissions before it enters the atmosphere and storing it away through reverse calcination is the most effective approach to decarbonise the cement industry, says RBI. More focus has to be put on use of alternative fuels, preferably industrial waste, and waste heat recovery as well as carbon capture and storage.

Voluntary efforts should be complemented by a carbon trading system that can keep polluters and defaulters in check. This is likely to happen soon with the passing of the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill 2022. Carbon trading market is expected to take shape and change the way cement companies deal with carbon emissions. It is also likely to fill the gaps left by the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme.

What the cement industry in India is able to achieve will have a direct impact on the country’s speed and scale of achieving net zero targets. While better housing and infrastructure – the end use of cement – aims at improving the quality of life, becoming a carbon neutral industry will add significantly more to this vision by providing people with a safe and healthy environment.