Model Answer

Introduction

Industrial emissions are a significant contributor to air pollution and climate change in India. As the nation strives for economic growth, it faces the dual challenge of increasing industrial output while reducing environmental degradation. This balance is crucial for sustainable development.

Primary Sources of Industrial Emissions

India’s industrial landscape is characterized by several emission-intensive sectors:

1. Thermal Power Sector: The largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily due to coal-based thermal plants, which account for around 50% of fuel-related CO₂ emissions.
2. Steel Industry: Highly energy-intensive, relying predominantly on coal-based processes, resulting in significant CO₂ emissions.
3. Cement Industry: Known as a ‘hard-to-abate’ sector, cement manufacturing directly emits CO₂ through limestone calcination.
4. Oil and Gas Industry: Major sources of methane leaks and CO₂ emissions, exacerbated by increasing oil demand.
5. Fertilizer Industry: A significant emitter of nitrous oxide, contributing to overall greenhouse gas emissions.
6. Aluminum Industry: Energy-intensive processes lead to high CO₂ emissions, with most production relying on coal-based power.
7. Transport Sector: Rapidly increasing emissions due to rising vehicle ownership and freight movement.

Challenges in Mitigation

The path to reducing emissions is fraught with challenges:

• Dependence on Coal: Many industries rely heavily on coal for energy, making it economically difficult to transition to cleaner alternatives.
• High Costs of Clean Technologies: The upfront investment required for carbon capture and renewable energy technologies is often prohibitive.
• Weak Regulatory Enforcement: Inconsistent implementation of emission norms allows industries to evade compliance.
• Lack of Financial Incentives: Limited access to green financing and low carbon credit prices diminish motivation for emission reductions.
• Inefficiencies in Industrial Processes: Outdated machinery and practices lead to higher emissions and energy consumption.
• Slow Progress in Circular Economy: Limited recycling and waste management practices increase resource extraction and emissions.
• Socioeconomic Trade-offs: Balancing job creation in emission-intensive industries with environmental regulations poses political challenges.

Measures for Balancing Growth and Sustainability

To address these challenges, several measures can be implemented:

1. Strengthening Carbon Pricing: Introducing mandatory carbon pricing and expanding the carbon credit trading scheme can incentivize industries to reduce emissions.
2. Expanding Green Hydrogen and Biofuels: Encouraging the production and use of green hydrogen can decarbonize hard-to-abate sectors.
3. Adopting Circular Economy Principles: Enforcing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) can promote recycling and reduce waste.
4. Decarbonizing Thermal Power Plants: Rapid deployment of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies is essential.
5. Strengthening Energy Efficiency Standards: Expanding the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) scheme to more sectors can drive energy efficiency improvements.
6. Promoting Renewable Energy Adoption: Providing incentives for industries to shift to renewable energy sources will reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
7. Ensuring Just Transition: Implementing a Just Transition framework will protect workers in coal-dependent industries while facilitating the move to cleaner energy.

Way Forward

Balancing industrial growth with emission reduction is imperative for India’s sustainable development. By addressing the primary sources of emissions and tackling the associated challenges through effective policies, India can achieve its climate goals while fostering economic growth. Implementing these measures will contribute significantly to achieving environmental sustainability and combating climate change.