Synopsis: A National Leadership Group for Industry Transition workshop, jointly organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Steel, brought together key stakeholders to address the challenges of low-carbon development in India's steel sector. Discussions focused on innovative solutions and the importance of achieving climate action goals. The event emphasized the role of the steel industry in India's development journey and the need for a balance between growth and environmental responsibility. Input from the workshop will shape the upcoming LeadIT 2.0 phase, set to be announced at UNFCC, COP 28 in December 2023.Article: In a significant endeavor to advance India's low-carbon transition in the steel sector, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in collaboration with the Ministry of Steel, orchestrated the National Leadership Group for Industry Transition (workshop. The event, titled "Understanding Challenges faced by the Industry in Low Carbon Transition of the Sector & LeadIT Role in facilitating Solutions," was convened in New Delhi on 18th October 2023 and enjoyed support from UNDP and Invest India.The workshop provided a critical platform for a multitude of stakeholders to engage in discussions around pioneering solutions for the low-carbon transition of India's steel sector. This proactive approach aims to reinforce India's commitment to climate action, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change. Attending the workshop were an array of stakeholders from India, including major steel companies, steel associations, the All India Induction Furnace Association, financial institutions, and multilateral development banks. The event also welcomed representatives from the Government of Sweden, the LeadIT Secretariat, and Swedish company members.Smt Leena Nandan, Secretary of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, underscored the pivotal role of the steel sector in India's development trajectory and its expected contribution to the journey of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070. She emphasized the delicate equilibrium between development and climate action. Notable policies such as Production Linked Incentives and innovations in the construction sector have played a significant role in fostering low-carbon growth. Secretary Nandan also highlighted the valuable contributions made during India's G20 Presidency by the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) of the G20, specifically in advancing resource efficiency and the circular economy dialogue. She stressed the importance of translating policies into tangible actions. The transition in the steel sector necessitates the mainstreaming of circularity, material efficiency, the expansion of renewable energy sources, particularly in the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sector, and effective risk management. Finance was identified as a critical driver for the required changes.Shri Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary of Steel, emphasized the need for sustainable management of the steel sector through a comprehensive package of measures that benefit both the economy and the industry. Emerging technologies such as Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage, the premium on green steel, and government procurement policies took center stage in discussions. He noted the creation of 13 task forces by the Ministry of Steel, encompassing areas like energy efficiency, CCUS, demand-side measures, finance, monitoring-reporting-verification, and more. The utilization of biomass, biofuel, and biochar was recognized as a crucial area, though it presents technical and business challenges. Sinha highlighted the importance of policy measures, research & development, access to finance, and technology transfer, all approached with a consortium-based strategy. The LeadIT platform emerged as a critical facilitator in advancing the low-carbon transition agenda, fostering technology co-development, providing technical and financial assistance, and driving research & development.The workshop also featured two focused panel discussions, one centered on large-scale steel plants and the other on the MSME sector. Distinguished panelists, including representatives from the Government of Sweden, industry experts, associations, sector specialists, and financial institutions, shared Sweden's journey toward a low-carbon transition in the steel sector. Technology challenges, particularly related to blast furnace usage and emissions reduction through Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage, were discussed. The imperative of aligning business strategies with climate action investments was emphasized, highlighting the need for research & development, co-development, capacity building, robust policies, fiscal support, and innovative financial instruments.The valuable insights garnered from this workshop are expected to lay the groundwork for the forthcoming LeadIT 2.0 phase, which will be officially announced at the UNFCC, COP 28 in the United Arab Emirates in December 2023.Conclusion: The National Leadership Group for Industry Transition workshop in India marks a pivotal step toward addressing the challenges of low-carbon development in the steel sector. With stakeholders from various domains coming together to deliberate innovative solutions, it underscores India's commitment to climate action and environmental responsibility. The steel industry's role in achieving Net Zero emissions is recognized, and a harmonious balance between growth and sustainability is sought. As the world moves forward in combating climate change, this collaborative effort is poised to shape the LeadIT 2.0 phase, ensuring that India remains at the forefront of low-carbon transition.
Synopsis: A National Leadership Group for Industry Transition workshop, jointly organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and the Ministry of Steel, brought together key stakeholders to address the challenges of low-carbon development in India's steel sector. Discussions focused on innovative solutions and the importance of achieving climate action goals. The event emphasized the role of the steel industry in India's development journey and the need for a balance between growth and environmental responsibility. Input from the workshop will shape the upcoming LeadIT 2.0 phase, set to be announced at UNFCC, COP 28 in December 2023.Article: In a significant endeavor to advance India's low-carbon transition in the steel sector, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in collaboration with the Ministry of Steel, orchestrated the National Leadership Group for Industry Transition (workshop. The event, titled "Understanding Challenges faced by the Industry in Low Carbon Transition of the Sector & LeadIT Role in facilitating Solutions," was convened in New Delhi on 18th October 2023 and enjoyed support from UNDP and Invest India.The workshop provided a critical platform for a multitude of stakeholders to engage in discussions around pioneering solutions for the low-carbon transition of India's steel sector. This proactive approach aims to reinforce India's commitment to climate action, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change. Attending the workshop were an array of stakeholders from India, including major steel companies, steel associations, the All India Induction Furnace Association, financial institutions, and multilateral development banks. The event also welcomed representatives from the Government of Sweden, the LeadIT Secretariat, and Swedish company members.Smt Leena Nandan, Secretary of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, underscored the pivotal role of the steel sector in India's development trajectory and its expected contribution to the journey of achieving Net Zero emissions by 2070. She emphasized the delicate equilibrium between development and climate action. Notable policies such as Production Linked Incentives and innovations in the construction sector have played a significant role in fostering low-carbon growth. Secretary Nandan also highlighted the valuable contributions made during India's G20 Presidency by the Environment and Climate Sustainability Working Group (ECSWG) of the G20, specifically in advancing resource efficiency and the circular economy dialogue. She stressed the importance of translating policies into tangible actions. The transition in the steel sector necessitates the mainstreaming of circularity, material efficiency, the expansion of renewable energy sources, particularly in the micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise (MSME) sector, and effective risk management. Finance was identified as a critical driver for the required changes.Shri Nagendra Nath Sinha, Secretary of Steel, emphasized the need for sustainable management of the steel sector through a comprehensive package of measures that benefit both the economy and the industry. Emerging technologies such as Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage, the premium on green steel, and government procurement policies took center stage in discussions. He noted the creation of 13 task forces by the Ministry of Steel, encompassing areas like energy efficiency, CCUS, demand-side measures, finance, monitoring-reporting-verification, and more. The utilization of biomass, biofuel, and biochar was recognized as a crucial area, though it presents technical and business challenges. Sinha highlighted the importance of policy measures, research & development, access to finance, and technology transfer, all approached with a consortium-based strategy. The LeadIT platform emerged as a critical facilitator in advancing the low-carbon transition agenda, fostering technology co-development, providing technical and financial assistance, and driving research & development.The workshop also featured two focused panel discussions, one centered on large-scale steel plants and the other on the MSME sector. Distinguished panelists, including representatives from the Government of Sweden, industry experts, associations, sector specialists, and financial institutions, shared Sweden's journey toward a low-carbon transition in the steel sector. Technology challenges, particularly related to blast furnace usage and emissions reduction through Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage, were discussed. The imperative of aligning business strategies with climate action investments was emphasized, highlighting the need for research & development, co-development, capacity building, robust policies, fiscal support, and innovative financial instruments.The valuable insights garnered from this workshop are expected to lay the groundwork for the forthcoming LeadIT 2.0 phase, which will be officially announced at the UNFCC, COP 28 in the United Arab Emirates in December 2023.Conclusion: The National Leadership Group for Industry Transition workshop in India marks a pivotal step toward addressing the challenges of low-carbon development in the steel sector. With stakeholders from various domains coming together to deliberate innovative solutions, it underscores India's commitment to climate action and environmental responsibility. The steel industry's role in achieving Net Zero emissions is recognized, and a harmonious balance between growth and sustainability is sought. As the world moves forward in combating climate change, this collaborative effort is poised to shape the LeadIT 2.0 phase, ensuring that India remains at the forefront of low-carbon transition.
