Green steel can shape India’s climate goals trajectory Premium

Green steel is central to India’s climate goals, economic future, and global leadership in sustainable industrialisation

India stands at a defining moment. Last year, while addressing COP30 delegates in Belém, Brazil, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav committed the country to submit a revised, more ambitious Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC). This is an opportunity for the country to position itself as a leader — not just with a revised pledge, but with clear plans for the economy-wide decarbonisation needed to meet it, including in those sectors that are hardest to decarbonise.

No industry is more critical here than steel.

As one of the largest growing economies, the steel sector is the cornerstone of India’s growth, driving infrastructure and industrial development. In fact, to reach the country’s latent potential, steel production would need to more than triple from the current approximately 125 million tonnes a year to more than 400 million tonnes by mid-century. This is unprecedented growth in the given time and will surely come at a cost. The sector accounts for around 12% of the country’s carbon emissions today, largely due to its continued reliance on coal.

Much like other emerging economies, India faces a twin challenge of ensuring continued development, while meeting long-term climate targets.

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