Climate change is a reality and a formidable challenge globally and in India. Across the world, there has been a rise in extreme climate events such as floods, droughts, and heatwaves. The severity and frequency of these extreme events are projected to escalate in the coming years (IPCC, 2022). These events not only endanger natural ecosystems but also pose substantial risks to human systems. However, it is crucial to recognise that the distribution of the impact of climate change is not equal across the world.

The 'No Silver Bullet' series explores various potential pathways for India’s transition to net-zero emissions, discusses the challenges and constraints, and provides directional insights based on long-term modelling using system dynamics. To complement the findings from cost-optimisation models, simulation modelling based on systems thinking was used to determine the impact of competition for natural (and other) resources and the ensuing non-linear feedback dynamics.

Decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors calls for measures that can reduce emissions from both fuel combustion and different processes. These measures can yield incremental emission savings for abating emissions at scale. As the last frontier towards the net-zero goal, hard-to-abate sectors such as steel and cement manufacturing units must look to transition to scalable solutions that can offer energy saving opportunities and emissions reduction. In this study, we examine whether hydrogen can play a pivotal role in decarbonising steel and cement sectors.

The 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the U.N. Convention on Biological Diversity recently concluded in Cali, Colombia. Representatives from U.N. countries tried to negotiate measures to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, which threatens both human well-being and the stability of human societies. A key sticking point was who’d pay for implementing these measures and how much.

Urea is among the most consumed chemicals in India—as an indispensable fertiliser in agriculture, and, thereafter, as an important raw material for producing plastics, and nutrient feed for cattle. In the conventional process of urea production, natural gas is the primary source of hydrogen and carbon dioxide that are used as raw materials. According to Energy Statistics India, fertiliser production accounts for 32% of India’s total annual natural gas consumption.

As India is on a trajectory to decarbonise the transport sector and reach its net-zero goals by 2070, it is imperative to closely examine decarbonisation strategies to avoid any unintended economic and natural resource–related trade-offs. Bengaluru-based think tank, Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP)’s latest study highlights that sustaining 10% ethanol blending (E10) might be the right way forward, considering it avoids any trade-offs between food and fuel and existing vehicles and infrastructure are already E10-compliant.