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COP28: A Turning Point for Carbon Capture in the Steel Industry



Setting: A bustling COP28 side event in Dubai. Ms. Ranjitha, an environmental journalist, flags down Ms. Keerthana, CEO of Green Co Steel, a prominent Indian steelmaker. 

Ms. Ranjitha and Ms. Keerthana are discussing the urgency of emissions reduction at COP28. Ms. Ranjitha is curious about the steel industry's progress in reducing emissions. And so, the conversation starts.

Ms. Ranjitha: Ms. Keerthana, the COP28 air crackles with urgency. The IPCC's 43% emissions cut by 2030 looms large, yet progress seems like it could be more active. How's the steel industry feeling the heat?

Ms. Keerthana: The pressure's intense, Ms. Ranjitha. Developed nations' lack of support for developing countries like India widens the gap. But inaction isn't an option with the 1.5-degree warming line in sight.

Ms. Ranjitha: Absolutely. India's ambitious goals, 50% non-fossil fuel electricity by 2030 and net zero by 2070, inspire hope. But what about steel, a major emitter and economic engine?

Ms. Keerthana: That's the crux, Ms. Ranjitha. We need sustainable solutions, and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is emerging as a game-changer.

Ms. Ranjitha: CCUS? I've heard murmurs, but can you elaborate?

Ms. Keerthana: Imagine capturing over 50% of the carbon emissions from steelmaking! CCUS does just that, storing or reusing CO2 instead of releasing it.  It is a suite of technologies that enable the mitigation of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from large point sources such as power plants, refineries, and other industrial facilities, or the removal of existing CO2 from the atmosphere. It's revolutionary for decarbonising steel.

Ms. Ranjitha: But how it works?

Ms. Keerthana: That’s interesting. A CCUS application consists of three stages: capture, transport, and storage (or usage) of CO2. Post-combustion technology separates CO2 from the flue gas by using a chemical solvent. The captured CO2 can be transported via pipeline or ship to a storage site, where it is injected into deep geological formations for long-term storage or used in industrial processes.

Ms. Ranjitha: That's impressive, but isn't CCUS still in its infancy?

Ms. Keerthana: True. India's CCUS implementation is nascent. We need readily available storage sites and affordable technology. Government support, like grants and tax breaks, is crucial. Remember the US' Petra Nova project? Their success hinged on such support.

Ms. Ranjitha: So, collaboration is key? Developed nations, industry, and governments joining hands?

Ms. Keerthana: Precisely! COP28 is about forging these partnerships. Developed nations must fulfil their financial and technological commitments. Together, we can make CCUS accessible to India.

Ms. Ranjitha: A message of hope, Ms. Keerthana. India's peak power demand reaching 241 GW and its reliance on coal for 60% of electricity highlight the urgency. CCUS could be the answer, but partnerships and support are critical.

Ms. Keerthana: The future of steel, and our planet, hinges on it, Ms. Ranjitha. Let's make COP28 the turning point for a cleaner, greener steel future.

Ms. Ranjitha: With optimism and collective action, Ms. Keerthana, perhaps that future is within reach. Let's keep the conversation going, not just here at COP28, but back home, in boardrooms and policy chambers. The time for talk is over; the time for action is now.

Location: NAARM Campus, Acharya Ng Ranga Agricultural University, Rajendranagar mandal, Hyderabad, Telangana 500030, India

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