India must decarbonise its cement industry through cleaner fuels, reduced clinker content, CCUS and sustainable construction materials to achieve its net-zero target by 2070.
NEWS: India aims for net-zero emissions by 2070. Cement contributes around 7–11% of global CO₂ emissions.
INDIA’S CEMENT INDUSTRY
- India is the world’s second-largest cement producer.
- Cement is an energy-intensive core industry; rising infrastructure and housing demand increases emissions.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
- Process emissions: CO₂ released during limestone calcination.
- Fuel emissions: Coal and petroleum coke used in kilns.
- Other impacts → air pollution, limestone mining, habitat loss and transport emissions.
KEY DECARBONISATION MEASURES
- Cleaner fuels: Renewable energy and refuse-derived fuel (RDF); NITI Aayog’s roadmap recommends a 20% RDF thermal substitution rate by 2030.
- Reduce clinker content: Use fly ash and other suitable supplementary cementitious materials.
- CCUS: Capture, utilise or store residual CO₂ emissions.
- Green buildings: Climate-responsive designs reduce cooling needs and unnecessary cement use.
- Traditional materials: Promote rammed earth, compressed earth blocks, lime-surkhi mortar, Kath Kuni architecture, timber and bamboo where suitable.
- Policy support: Green public procurement, revised construction standards and performance-based specifications.