Carbon Capture Technology to Play Key Role in India’s Net Zero by 2070 Goal

The technology could help India lower industrial emissions while maintaining economic growth, improving resource efficiency and strengthening the competitiveness of domestic industries. The government is working to develop a broader CCUS ecosystem by bringing together research institutions, public sector enterprises and private companies.

The ecosystem includes operational projects, initiatives under execution and proposed projects across multiple states, laying the groundwork for indigenous carbon capture technologies, carbon utilisation and secure storage capabilities.

Why CCUS Matters for Industrial Decarbonisation

Although renewable energy can significantly reduce emissions from electricity generation, certain industrial processes remain difficult to electrify. These include operations requiring extremely high temperatures and manufacturing processes that rely on carbon-based raw materials.

CCUS involves capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from industrial sources before it enters the atmosphere. The captured carbon can then be used in productive applications or transported for secure underground storage.

By preventing emissions at their source, the technology can complement renewable energy deployment and help industries move towards lower-carbon production.

Steel, Cement and Chemicals Among Key Sectors

NITI Aayog has identified CCUS as an important technology for reducing emissions in hard-to-abate sectors, including steel, cement, oil and gas, petrochemicals, chemicals and fertilisers.

These industries play a significant role in India's industrial economy but face substantial technological challenges in achieving deep emissions reductions. In several cases, emissions arise not only from the energy used in production but also from the chemical processes involved in manufacturing.

CCUS could help reduce emissions from existing industrial facilities while allowing them to continue producing essential materials. It may also create opportunities for domestic innovation, specialised infrastructure and new industrial capabilities.

The approach combines carbon capture with either productive utilisation or secure long-term storage, offering potential applications across different stages of industrial production and emissions management.

Government Focuses on Research and Indigenous Capabilities

The government is encouraging collaboration between scientific institutions, public sector enterprises and private industry to develop CCUS technologies and supporting infrastructure within India.

The development of domestic expertise could help expand the deployment of carbon capture systems, improve carbon utilisation methods and establish secure storage solutions. Such capabilities may become increasingly important as India seeks to balance its industrial development with its long-term climate commitments.

CCUS is being positioned as a complementary tool rather than a replacement for renewable energy and other emissions-reduction measures. Its wider contribution will depend on technological progress, infrastructure development and the ability to deploy projects effectively across emissions-intensive sectors.

ESTIC-2026 Highlights Emerging Energy Technologies

The role of CCUS in India's energy transition is among the areas being highlighted at the second edition of the Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave (ESTIC-2026), being held from October 27 to 29 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

Organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the conclave follows the theme “Creative Minds, Catalyzing Science, Empowering Technologies.”

The event brings together emerging developments across 12 thematic areas through plenary sessions, technical discussions and exhibitions. Energy technologies, including Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage, form part of the broader focus on scientific research and technological innovation.

As India pursues its Net Zero by 2070 vision, CCUS could become an important component of efforts to reduce industrial emissions while supporting continued economic and manufacturing growth.