Heading: India and US Collaborate on Carbon Capture Technologies to Tackle Industrial Emissions

India and the United States Strengthen Collaboration on Carbon Capture Technologies

New Delhi: In a significant move towards combating industrial emissions in hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, and chemicals, India and the United States have reinforced their collaboration on carbon capture technologies. The two-day workshop on “Legal & Regulatory Frameworks and Technical Considerations for Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS)” held on August 22-23, 2024, at The Oberoi, New Delhi, highlighted the key takeaways from this partnership.

The workshop, jointly organized by NITI Aayog, the US Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources, the US Department of Energy’s Office of Carbon Management, and the US Department of Commerce’s Commercial Law Development Program, brought together senior officials and industry leaders from both countries.

Eric Garcetti, US Ambassador to India, emphasized the importance of the long-standing US-India partnership in advancing CCUS technologies, rebranding the abbreviation CCUS as “Collaboration and Coordination with the US.” He highlighted the potential of this partnership to drive decarbonization efforts in industries crucial for India’s economic growth.

Suman Bery, Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog, discussed India’s efforts to develop pathways for achieving its Net Zero 2070 target. He stressed the need to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability and highlighted the role of different technologies in this transition.

Dr. VK Saraswat, Member of NITI Aayog, underscored the urgency of developing CCUS technologies to meet India’s climate goals. He shared insights from various pilot projects undertaken by NTPC, OIL, and ONGC, which are helping to build the foundation for large-scale CCUS deployment in India.

Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary of the Ministry of Power, highlighted the need to address the energy trilemma of security, affordability, and sustainability. He emphasized the role of domestic energy sources and the deployment of efficient technologies like Ultra Supercritical (USC) and Advanced Ultra Supercritical (AUSC) in combination with CCUS to meet India’s climate commitments.

The workshop featured sessions on key legal, policy, and regulatory issues related to CCUS, as well as discussions on international standards, business opportunities, and the technological potential for carbon capture in various industries. Experts from both countries explored strategies for harmonizing regulatory mechanisms and policies to promote CCUS, addressing challenges related to liability, safety, and affordability.

Tarun Kapoor, Adviser to the Prime Minister, concluded the workshop by recognizing the growing energy demand in India, driven by the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision. He called for concerted global efforts to develop CCUS technologies as part of the broader strategy to meet the country’s energy needs while addressing climate change.

The workshop highlighted the critical role of India-US cooperation in advancing CCUS technologies and the importance of developing a robust policy framework to facilitate their large-scale deployment. The discussions and partnerships formed during the event are expected to play a pivotal role in helping India achieve its ambitious climate and energy goals.

Published On Aug 26, 2024 at 06:54 AM IST