The SwitchON Foundation hosted a stakeholder meet in Durgapur to emphasize the pressing need for greening the Steel Industry and engage in discussions regarding carbon footprints associated with the sector. The event witnessed the presence of government officials, urban local bodies, NGOs, academicians, and workers from the steel industry.Under the banner of 'Bengal Clean Air Network (Bengal CAN),' the SwitchON Foundation formed a coalition of national and regional organizations, trusts, clubs, and volunteer groups, aiming to tackle environmental issues in West Bengal. Vinav Jaju, MD of SwitchON Foundation, highlighted the need for greener measures, considering that approximately 11% of India's GHG emissions originate from the steel industry. The foundation intends to foster collaboration among stakeholders, initiating discussions on decarbonizing technologies for a more eco-conscious future for the steel sector.During the meet, SwitchON Foundation launched a research report titled “Transitioning to Green Steel: An Insight into the Iron and Steel Sector with Emphasis on Decarbonizing Technologies and the Potential Industries of West Bengal.” The National Steel Policy of 2017 projects a production capacity of 300 million metric tons by 2030-31. West Bengal plays a vital role in steel production, housing two PSU's and 46 private units spread across several districts. However, the steel sector's alarming emission CAGR of 4.79% (approx 1.16 million metric tons CO2e) poses environmental challenges.The stakeholder meet gathered over 40 participants to create public demand for greener steel, emphasizing the economic and environmental significance of such initiatives. Discussions focused on engaging citizens, especially those employed in the steel industry, along with experts and policymakers, to promote cleaner and greener steel usage. The green steel initiatives include citizen engagement, multi-stakeholder meetings with the steel industry, encouraging consumers to opt for green steel, promoting renewable energy in the sector, and driving technology interventions for sustainability.Dignitaries like Prof. A.K. Mondal, Associate Dean & Professor. NIT, MME, Durgapur, and Mr. Soumen Ghosh, Manager (R&D) Alloy Steel Plant, SAIL, were among the attendees. Anindita Mukherjee, Chairperson of Durgapur Municipal Corporation, expressed wholehearted support for SwitchON Foundation's initiative and vowed to work collaboratively with other stakeholders to address carbon footprints in the steel sector.Prof. A.K. Mondal, Associate Dean & Professor. NIT, MME, Durgapur, praised the foundation's efforts to promote the transition to green steel, emphasizing the opportunity to leverage research and expertise for environmentally-responsible technologies in the iron and steel sectors.Mr. Manoj Srivastab, GM, PPC, Durgapur Steel Plant, highlighted the significance of green steel for reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption, praising the stakeholder meet as a platform for awareness and solutions.
The SwitchON Foundation hosted a stakeholder meet in Durgapur to emphasize the pressing need for greening the Steel Industry and engage in discussions regarding carbon footprints associated with the sector. The event witnessed the presence of government officials, urban local bodies, NGOs, academicians, and workers from the steel industry.Under the banner of 'Bengal Clean Air Network (Bengal CAN),' the SwitchON Foundation formed a coalition of national and regional organizations, trusts, clubs, and volunteer groups, aiming to tackle environmental issues in West Bengal. Vinav Jaju, MD of SwitchON Foundation, highlighted the need for greener measures, considering that approximately 11% of India's GHG emissions originate from the steel industry. The foundation intends to foster collaboration among stakeholders, initiating discussions on decarbonizing technologies for a more eco-conscious future for the steel sector.During the meet, SwitchON Foundation launched a research report titled “Transitioning to Green Steel: An Insight into the Iron and Steel Sector with Emphasis on Decarbonizing Technologies and the Potential Industries of West Bengal.” The National Steel Policy of 2017 projects a production capacity of 300 million metric tons by 2030-31. West Bengal plays a vital role in steel production, housing two PSU's and 46 private units spread across several districts. However, the steel sector's alarming emission CAGR of 4.79% (approx 1.16 million metric tons CO2e) poses environmental challenges.The stakeholder meet gathered over 40 participants to create public demand for greener steel, emphasizing the economic and environmental significance of such initiatives. Discussions focused on engaging citizens, especially those employed in the steel industry, along with experts and policymakers, to promote cleaner and greener steel usage. The green steel initiatives include citizen engagement, multi-stakeholder meetings with the steel industry, encouraging consumers to opt for green steel, promoting renewable energy in the sector, and driving technology interventions for sustainability.Dignitaries like Prof. A.K. Mondal, Associate Dean & Professor. NIT, MME, Durgapur, and Mr. Soumen Ghosh, Manager (R&D) Alloy Steel Plant, SAIL, were among the attendees. Anindita Mukherjee, Chairperson of Durgapur Municipal Corporation, expressed wholehearted support for SwitchON Foundation's initiative and vowed to work collaboratively with other stakeholders to address carbon footprints in the steel sector.Prof. A.K. Mondal, Associate Dean & Professor. NIT, MME, Durgapur, praised the foundation's efforts to promote the transition to green steel, emphasizing the opportunity to leverage research and expertise for environmentally-responsible technologies in the iron and steel sectors.Mr. Manoj Srivastab, GM, PPC, Durgapur Steel Plant, highlighted the significance of green steel for reducing carbon emissions and energy consumption, praising the stakeholder meet as a platform for awareness and solutions.
