India Emerges As Green Leader With the Lowest Per Capita CO2 Emissions Among the G20 Nations

India has emerged as a green leader among the G20 nations, boasting the lowest per capita CO2 emissions. With this, India is setting am example of sustainable development.

In 2023, India's per capita CO2 emissions were around 2.1 metric tons per person, compared to much higher figures in countries like Saudi Arabia, which had the highest per capita emissions at over 17 metric tons per person.

 

China had the highest CO2 emissions among G20 countries, while Argentina had the lowest. India's per capita emissions were the lowest among the G20 nations, highlighting its efforts in maintaining a lower carbon footprint.

India's achievement is largely due to the country's agrarian economy and relatively low per capita energy consumption compared to many developed nations. Despite being the most populous G20 country, India's efforts in deploying renewable energy and maintaining lower emissions have been commendable.

The latest International Energy Agency (IEA) report on CO2 emissions provides a comprehensive analysis of global emissions in 2023.

Global Emissions CO2 emissions reached a new record high in 2023, with an increase of 1.1%, increasing 410 million tonnes (Mt) to reach a new record high of 37.4 billion tonnes (Gt). This was driven by weather effects and continued reopening from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nevertheless, the growth in clean energy technologies, such as renewables, electric vehicles, and heat pumps, helped limit the rise in global emissions.

Emissions from energy combustion increased, while emissions from industrial processes decreased.

Between 2019 and 2023, total energy-related emissions increased around 900 Mt. Without the growing deployment of five key clean energy technologies since 2019 - solar PV, wind, nuclear, heat pumps, and electric cars - the emissions growth would have been three times larger.

In India’s 1st, Ministry Starts Underground Coal Gasification Project Converting It to H2, CO and CO2 for Industrial Uses

Ministry of Coal initiates India’s First Ever Pilot project for Underground Coal Gasification in Jharkhand

Initiative aims to Revolutionize the Coal Industry by using in-situ coal gasification to convert it into valuable gases such as methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide for industrial applications

Under the strategic direction of the Ministry of Coal, Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) has embarked on an innovative pilot project for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) at the Kasta coal block in Jamtara District, Jharkhand.

This groundbreaking initiative aims to revolutionize the coal industry by using in-situ coal gasification to convert it into valuable gases such as methane, hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide. These gases can be utilized for industrial applications, including producing synthetic natural gas, chemical feedstocks for fuels, fertilizers, explosives, and more.

This project represents a significant milestone for Coal India Limited (CIL) and its subsidiaries, positioning India as a leader in adopting advanced coal gasification technology. As the pilot project progresses, it aims to establish new standards and enhance energy security while promoting sustainable development.

In December, 2015, the Ministry of Coal approved a comprehensive policy framework for UCG in coal and lignite-bearing areas. In alignment with this policy, Coal India selected the Kasta coal block to implement UCG technology tailored to Indian geo-mining conditions. Managed by ECL in collaboration with CMPDI Ranchi and Ergo Exergy Technologies Inc. (EETI) from Canada, this project spans two years and comprises of two phases.

Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) is a fascinating process that unlocks the energy potential of coal reserves located deep underground. A suitable coal seam is identified, typically at depths where traditional mining is challenging and wells are drilled into the coal seam from the surface. Oxygen or air is injected into the coal seam through one well, while another well collects the produced gases. The injected oxygen reacts with the coal, initiating gasification. Oxygen or air is injected into the coal seam through one well, while another well collects the produced gases. The injected oxygen reacts with the coal, initiating gasification. The high temperatures (around 1,000°C) cause the coal to undergo chemical reactions, releasing gases.

The primary gases produced during UCG include — Synthetic Gas or 'Syngas', a mixture of hydrogen (H₂) and carbon monoxide (CO); Methane (CH₄); Carbon Dioxide (CO₂); and other Hydrocarbons, depending on coal composition.

The collected gases are extracted through the second well. These gases can be used for various purposes as mentioned below:

• Syngas can fuel gas turbines or combined-cycle power plants.
• Syngas serves as a feedstock for chemicals.
• Hydrogen Production:Valuable for clean energy applications.
• Heat Generation: Methane can be used for heating.

Moreover, UCG reduces environmental impact compared to traditional coal mining:

• No Surface Mining: Minimizes land disturbance.
• Reduced Emissions: Syngas can be cleaner than burning coal directly.
• Carbon Capture: CO₂ can potentially be captured and stored.

Besides this, other companies invloved in UCG projects in the country include ONGC and Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited (NLC). These organizations have jointly identified several sites for studying the suitability of Underground Coal Gasification (UCG). Location of sites are Tadkeshwar in Gujarat, Hodu-Sindhari & East Kurla in Rajasthan, and Surkha in Bhavnagar district, Gujarat.

Coal India Limited (CIL) is driving India's coal gasification mission. They have identified five surface coal gasification projects which include Shilpanjal Pariyojana (West Bengal), Project Utkarsh (Maharashtra), Dankuni (West Bengal), Ashoka (Jharkhand), Mahamaya SCG (Chhattisgarh). Two tenders have been issued in the build-own-operate model.

Apart from India, it's worth noting that China, with significant coal reserves, has been actively pushing for coal gasification. They adopt proven western-developed gasifiers to gain operational experience.

These initiatives demonstrate the growing interest in cleaner energy solutions and the efficient utilization of coal resources.

Tata Steel Inks MoU with Germany’s SMS Group for Decarbonising Steel Making Process

Tata Steel Limited and Germany’s SMS group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on decarbonisation of steel making process. As part of the MoU, the companies shall undertake further technical discussions and initiate actions for conducting Joint Industrial Demonstration of the EASyMelt technology, developed by SMS group.

The demonstration will be executed at ‘E’ Blast Furnace in Tata Steel’s Jamshedpur plant with an objective to reduce CO2 emission by more than 50% from blast furnace’s baseline operation.

 

Tata Steel Limited Jamshedpur plant

The EASyMelt (electric-assisted syngas smelter) technology is a cutting-edge ironmaking solution that can be implemented in an existing integrated steel plants to accelerate decarbonisation. The core of the technology utilises blast furnace top gas recycling for syngas production through reforming of coke oven gas. The resulting syngas is then injected at both shaft and tuyere level, with the gas injected at the tuyere level further being heated using a plasma torch system.

T. V. Narendran, CEO & MD, Tata Steel, said: “Tata Steel is actively looking for solutions to facilitate the transition to green steel production, and thus contribute to a sustainable future. Further, India being the second largest steel producer in the world also places a huge responsibility on large manufacturers like Tata Steel to lead the country’s decarbonisation journey. We are delighted to reaffirm our partnership with the SMS group and intend to take this association ahead with a deeper collaboration to access better technologies and processes to reduce our carbon footprint in a meaningful and consistent way.”

“We are very proud to team up with a major steel producer like Tata Steel, and look forward to our future interactions as well as the possibility of achieving a first joint reference for our EASyMelt technology,” said Burkhard Dahmen, CEO of SMS group. “This will represent a significant milestone for the decarbonization of existing blast furnace plants worldwide and thus also a significant milestone in the global transformation of steel making.”

In November 2022, Tata Steel and SMS group had signed a MoU to strengthen their collaboration on projects and technology related to green steel and decarbonisation.

Tata Steel is prioritising decarbonisation and has set a goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2045. Earlier this year, Tata Steel successfully carried out trials for record-high hydrogen gas injection in Blast Furnace-E at its Jamshedpur plant. The Company is committed to contributing to India's journey towards industrial decarbonisation and has been consistently taking several steps in this regard including conducting a trial of continuous Coal Bed Methane (CBM) injection in early 2022, installation and continuous operation since September 2021 of 5 tonnes per day (TPD) industrial plant for carbon capture and utilisation from blast furnace off-gas, reducing freshwater consumption, developing sustainable supply chains, and imbibing circular economy.

Tata Steel is the first steel maker in the country to receive the coveted ‘ResponsibleSteel Certification’ for its Jamshedpur plant, placing India on the global decarbonisation and sustainability map.

Disclaimer

Statements in this press release describing the Company’s performance may be “forward looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations. Actual results may differ materially from those directly or indirectly expressed, inferred or implied. Important factors that could make a difference to the Company’s operations include, among others, economic conditions affecting demand/ supply and price conditions in the domestic and overseas markets in which the Company operates, changes in or due to the environment, Government regulations, laws, statutes, judicial pronouncements and/ or other incidental factors.

About Tata Steel

Tata Steel group is among the top global steel companies with an annual crude steel capacity of 35 million tonnes per annum.

It is one of the world's most geographically diversified steel producers, with operations and commercial presence across the world.

The group recorded a consolidated turnover of ~US$30.3 billion in the financial year ending March 31, 2023.

A Great Place to Work-CertifiedTM organisation, Tata Steel Limited, together with its subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures, is spread across five continents with an employee base of over 70,000.

Tata Steel has announced its major sustainability objectives including Net Zero Carbon by 2045, Net Zero Water consumption by 2030, improving Ambient Air Quality and No Net loss in Biodiversity by 2030.

The Company has been on a multi-year digital-enabled business transformation journey intending to be the leader in ‘Digital Steel making by 2025’. The Company has received the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse recognition for its Jamshedpur, Kalinganagar and IJmuiden Plants.

Tata Steel aspires to have 25% diverse workforce by 2025. The Company has been recognised with the World Economic Forum’s Global Diversity Equity & Inclusion Lighthouse 2023.

The Company has been a part of the DJSI Emerging Markets Index since 2012 and has been consistently ranked amongst top 10 steel companies in the DJSI Corporate Sustainability Assessment since 2016.

Tata Steel’s Jamshedpur Plant is India’s first site to receive ResponsibleSteelTM Certification.

Received Prime Minister’s Trophy for the best performing integrated steel plant for 2016-17, 2023 Steel Sustainability Champion recognition from worldsteel for six years in a row, 2022 ‘Supplier Engagement Leader’ recognition by CDP, Top performer in Iron and Steel sector in Dun & Bradstreet's India's top 500 companies 2022, Ranked as the 2023 most valuable Mining and Metals brand in India by Brand Finance, and ‘Most Ethical Company’ award 2021 from Ethisphere Institute.

Received 2022 ERM Global Award of Distinction, ‘Masters of Risk’ - Metals & Mining Sector recognition at The India Risk Management Awards for the seventh consecutive year, and Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting FY20 from ICAI, among several others. 

What Exactly is SF6?, and Why is It Significant?

When people talk about greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the focus is usually on carbon dioxide or methane. These two gasses make up about 90% of the GHGs that cause climate change. But there are a number of others that climate scientists monitor. Among them is sulfur hexafluoride, or SF6, a colorless, odorless gas used as an insulator in power substations. Though its prevalence in the atmosphere is small, it has the potential to make an outsized impact. That’s because it is the most potent GHG, with 23,500 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide.

Researchers in the power and energy sector where it is used have devoted significant effort to finding replacements.

WHAT DOES SF6 DO?

Sulfur hexafluoride is a very powerful insulator that has been used for decades to prevent short circuits and electrical arcing in electrical substation equipment, like high voltage switchgear and transformers. It’s stable, nontoxic, and has a low level of flammability, all properties that have made it applicable to a wide range of operating environments and voltage levels in the power industry.

“SF6 has been used globally as a very efficient insulation gas,” said IEEE Senior Member Guilherme Susteras, “which means that utilities globally could build electrical power stations and substations in a more compact fashion. This is especially important in urban settings, where physical space can be a serious constraint for network expansion.”

WHAT’S THE IMPACT OF SF6?

Every pound of SF6 released into the atmosphere is equivalent to the carbon impact of two cars on the road per year, or 1,100 gallons of gasoline, or burning 11,000 pounds of coal, according to an online calculator developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. And because it’s so stable – meaning it doesn’t mix with other compounds – it lasts for a long time in the atmosphere, around 3,200 years. Methane, for comparison, remains in the environment for about 12 years.

India is a significant user of SF6 in the Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU) category, and in particular the power transmission and distribution, with SF6 accounts for 0.04 percent of the GHG emission in the IPPU category. The Indian government has set targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, including from SF6. Earlier in 2016, the Government of India submitted its Biennial Update Report (BUR) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The BUR inventory covered six greenhouse gases. Among them, Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) is identified as a GHG, and its use in five categories, [energy, IPPU, agriculture, waste and Land-use, Land-use, Change, and Forestry (LULUCF)] is identified for the reduction in use.

Estimates vary pretty significantly about how much SF6 is emitted every year. But measurements of its presence in the atmosphere show it is growing – from four parts per trillion in 2000 to about 11 parts per trillion in 2021.

DOES IT ENTER THE ATMOWOSPHERE?

The power and electrical industry accounts for 70%-80% of the total SF6 gas emissions, according to IEEE Senior Member Ling Wang. Typically, the gas is usually used in sealed units, which can leak during production, maintenance and decommissioning.

WHAT’S BEING DONE ABOUT IT?

SF6 was first identified as a GHG of concern as part of the Kyoto Protocols in 1997 – the international agreement that represented the first binding GHG reduction targets for industrialized countries. That set off a broad effort to reduce its use. Power equipment, for example, was redesigned to use significantly less over the years. And power companies have gotten pretty good at detecting leaks.

One strategy is to substitute SF6 with something else. Replacement gasses need to operate in a wide range of temperature conditions, while remaining stable and non-toxic. Replacements should be relatively inexpensive to produce. And while stability is important, researchers don’t want something that’s so stable that it will remain in the environment for 3,200 years.

“There are currently many research development initiatives in pursuit of a cost-effective alternative to SF6, and there are some alternatives for very specific applications, but there currently isn’t any direct alternative for a wider application,” said Susteras.

Some of these replacements are already in use, Ling said.

“From the perspective of substitution, SF6 can be replaced by low global warming potential insulation media, such as dry air and vacuum,” Ling said, adding that there are also options for ultra-high voltage and high-performance needs.

Tata Steel’s IJmuiden Steelworks Recognised as One of the Most CO² Efficient in the World

The IJmuiden steelworks of Tata Steel Nederland ranks 3rd in the 2022 CO2 intensity benchmark¹ published by the World Steel Association, the international trade body for the iron and steel industry. The site has been among the best 10% since 2013 and this is the 3rd consecutive year that it has scored a top-5 position. The ranking is a clear recognition of the importance Tata Steel attaches to process optimisation.

Rollen staat - Tata Steel IJmuiden

Tata Steel has been working for years to reduce its CO2 emissions. The CO2 intensity of the steel produced in IJmuiden is around 7% below the European average and almost 19% below the global average.

“I am proud that we are once more recognised as one of the most CO2-efficient steelworks in the world and I would like to share this recognition with all our people, contractors, suppliers and customers,” says Hans van den Berg, Chairman of the Board of Management of Tata Steel Nederland. “While steel is an essential part of our daily lives, we are not blind to the impact of our activities. We invest significantly to further reduce the impact of our IJmuiden operations on our neighbours and the environment. Our recently launched climate strategy represents a new level of ambition, which revolves around green, clean and circular steel production.”

Tata Steel Nederland aims to be completely CO2-neutral by 2045. CO2 reduction measures are being implemented across Europe. The site in Naantali, Finland, for example, is the first within the company to have CO2-neutral operations (for scope 1 and 2), while the new plant in Geldermalsen, the Netherlands, already runs entirely on electricity.

The company also plans to switch to green hydrogen-based steelmaking at its IJmuiden steelworks. It targets to commission its first direct reduction plants and electric furnaces by 2030, becoming a producer of large quantities of high-quality green steel and reducing its CO2 emissions by 35-40%.

Since the announcement, a great deal of progress has been made on the design phase. In August, McDermott, Danieli and Hatch were awarded the contract for the basic engineering and technical project management. Tata Steel Nederland recently also signed a memorandum of understanding with Ford in Europe to supply the car maker with Zeremis® green steel once the IJmuiden steelworks switches to green hydrogen-based steelmaking.

¹World Steel CO2 data report 2022, BF-BOF route. 

For more information, please contact: Peter van Boesschoten, Spokesperson Tata Steel Nederland +31 6 1510 1728 / peter.van-boesschoten@tatasteeleurope.com

About Tata Steel Nederland

Tata Steel Nederland is one of Europe’s leading steel producers. The company supplies high-quality steel products to the most demanding markets, including construction, automotive, packaging and engineering. Tata Steel Nederland works with customers to develop new steel products that give them a competitive edge. Tata Steel Nederland has sites in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and elsewhere in Europe and is part of the Indian Tata Steel Group, one of the world’s largest steel companies. Tata Steel Nederland recorded a turnover of 6.9 billion euros in the financial year ending 31 March, 2022. Tata Steel Nederland is working on producing steel with zero carbon emissions by 2045. It will do so by switching to producing steel by using hydrogen instead of coal.

Design Graduate Develops Paint That Captures and Store CO2 From Air

A design graduate Kukbong Kim, who has a background in architecture and engineering, has developed a paint called — Celour — that captures and stores carbon dioxide from the air.

The paint can absorb 27 grams of CO2 in every 135 grams used Kim told Dezeen. According to her, the amount of CO2 Celour captures is the same amount of carbon dioxide that a normal tree absorbs per day. The paint is made from demolished concrete which would overwise be put in landfills where it can harm local ecosystems.

Waste concrete powder (WCP) is the main ingredient of Celour paint. WCP, which has the mineral carbonation effect, is a cement-based waste and a by-product of the concrete recycling process. This material is normally disposed of in landfill, causing pollution to water and soil, however, this cement waste can capture and store carbon for a longer time than any other material.

Celour can not only actively capture carbon dioxide from the air but also decrease the carbon emission occurring while making new cement. Celour provides a crucial step in restoring pre-industrial atmospheric levels by the users.

According to Kim, Celour can reabsorb a significant part of the emissions that were generated by producing the cement in the first place.

Notably, Cement is the source of about 8% of the world's carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, according to think tank Chatham House. Concrete is the most widely used man-made material in existence. It is second only to water as the most-consumed resource on the planet.

Kim, who is Royal College of Art and Imperial College London graduate, claims that the paint could allow carbon to be locked away almost indefinitely unless exposed to extreme heat. 

To recall, a similar invention from India exist called 'Air-Ink' by a Bengaluru-based startup Graviky Labs absorb air pollution and turn it into ink. Graviky Labs has recently presenting their work at Fashion for Good Foundation's fashion week in Amsterdam.

Kelp Blue, An Aquaculture Startup That Locks CO2, Raises $2 Mn From De Beers Group

De Beers Group Invests Us$2 Million in Kelp Blue, an Innovative Start-up Focused on Growing Underwater Kelp Forests to Lock Away Co2

The investment supports a pioneering nature-based solution for sequestering carbon and increasing biodiversity, while supporting job creation and sustainable economic development in Namibia

De Beers will have access to potential carbon credits generated by Kelp Blue to complement the company’s core carbon reduction and removal strategies as it strives to be carbon-neutral across its operations by 2030

De Beers Group today announced it is investing US$2 million in Kelp Blue, an innovative start-up focused on growing and managing large-scale giant kelp forests, initially off the Namibian coast. These underwater forests have the potential to safely and permanently lock away vast amounts of CO2 in the ocean. Research has shown that kelp forests have carbon sequestration properties exceeding those of terrestrial forests and that they help sustain healthy marine ecosystems, providing food and shelter for countless species.

In line with De Beers Group’s Building Forever sustainability goals, the investment supports a pioneering nature-based solution for sequestering carbon and enhancing biodiversity, while also delivering skills development and job creation in Namibia, where De Beers has recovered diamonds in joint venture partnership with the Namibian Government for almost three decades.

Giant Kelp underwater forests. [Photo credit - Kelp Blue]

Giant Kelp underwater forests. [Photo credit - Kelp Blue]

In 2021, Kelp Blue was awarded a license to cultivate Giant Kelp off the coast of Namibia and is now in the pilot phase. The business will contribute infrastructure development in and around the town of Lüderitz, benefitting the local community by creating employment and upskilling opportunities in kelp cultivation and processing. During the pilot phase, the business will generate a range of direct and indirect jobs in biotechnology, engineering, processing, support services and logistics in Namibia

The initiative will also support De Beers in its goal of being carbon neutral across its operations by 2030. While De Beers Group’s primary focus in achieving this goal will be on increasing efficiency and replacing fossil fuel and fossil-based energy from its operations with renewable alternatives, carbon credits resulting from the investment in Kelp Blue will support the company in removing any remaining emissions, alongside other nature-based initiatives.

Giant Kelp underwater forests. [Photo credit - Kelp Blue]

Neil Ventura, Executive Vice-President, Strategy and Innovation at De Beers Group, said: “We are committed to being carbon neutral across our operations by 2030, and to achieve this ambitious target we will need to recover a share of our emissions after we have removed and replaced the majority of the fossil fuel energy in our business. Instead of simply purchasing carbon credits on the market, we are looking to identify potential long-term, sustainable and innovative nature-based solutions for this – particularly those that can deliver additional carbon capture benefit beyond our own business. While there is still work to be done to understand more about the scale of opportunity, Kelp Blue is an innovative start-up with significant potential, and we are proud to invest in its future.

“Alongside protecting the natural world, another priority of our Building Forever sustainability framework is to partner with communities in our host countries on sustainable development opportunities. The potential benefits in Lüderitz and elsewhere in Namibia – in terms of employment and supporting ‘green’ solutions to wider challenges – highlight just how well Kelp Blue’s objectives align with our own sustainability approach.”

Daniel Hooft, Founder and CEO of Kelp Blue said: “We are very pleased to have De Beers alongside us, thinking about the future, today. De Beers has communicated its commitment to protecting the natural world through its 2030 Building Forever sustainability goals, with its focus on carbon neutrality, minimising its water footprint and delivering a net positive impact on biodiversity. These are one hundred per cent aligned to Kelp Blue’s core passion and purpose. De Beers’ early investment in our offshore pilot – a world first in terms of scale and ambition – specifically helps us accelerate the quantification and verification of the carbon sequestration pathways, which is essential for the whole seaweed industry in terms of scientifically establishing the potential of this novel nature-based solution.”

Swiss-based Climeworks Raises Funds in a Largest by Carbon Capturing Startups in the World

Swiss-based Carbon capturing startup, Climeworks, which already has its name listed among world's first large-scale Direct Air Capture (DAC) + storage plant and arguably largest DAC plant in the world, has received CHF (swiss franks) 600 million (~ USD 650 million) in equity round of funding, touted as largest round for any carbon removal startup in the World.

The financing is co-led by Partners Group (acting on behalf of its clients) and GIC, along with participation from (in alphabetical order) Baillie Gifford, Carbon Removal Partners, Global Founders Capital, John Doerr, M&G, Swiss Re, as well as other new and existing shareholders including long-term investor and anchor shareholder BigPoint Holding AG.

The latest funding will unlock the next phase of Climeworks' growth, scaling DAC up to multi-million-ton capacity and implementing large-scale facilities as carbon removal becomes a trillion-dollar market.

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC served as sole placement agent for Climeworks in connection with the transaction.

Christoph Gebald, co-founder and co-CEO of Climeworks, said - "We are proud to partner with our new investors and thankful for the renewed trust of our existing ones, all committed to the long-term journey of Climeworks. It is thrilling to see the appetite and support of globally leading investors towards the scale up of our technology; this is a great milestone for our company as well as the entire industry."

Climateworks has raised funding just in time when United Nations' IPCC, released a report saying that carbon dioxide removal is essential to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Jan Wurzbacher, co-founder and co-CEO of Climeworks, said - "We founded Climeworks with the vision to provide the world a tech that has the potential to reverse climate change. Accelerating the scale up of carbon removal capacity will play a crucial role in global efforts to keep global warming under 1.5°C, positively impacting the lives of billions of people. And this is what we will do starting now."

Founded in 2009, Climeworks empowers people to reverse climate change by permanently removing carbon dioxide from the air. One of two things happens to the Climeworks air-captured carbon dioxide: either it is returned to earth, stored safely and permanently away for millions of years,

Speaking on the investment, Choo Yong Cheen, Chief Investment Officer of Private Equity, GIC, said - "Climeworks is the global pioneer and leader in direct air capture (DAC) technology. We believe that DAC technology will play a crucial role in decarbonisation globally, and that Climeworks will lead this transformation. As a long-term global investor, we look forward to supporting Climeworks’ proven leadership team, as they deliver on their roadmap to scale their DAC capabilities and meet the already-outsized demand for their product."

Going forward with carbon capturing sector, a group of Indian scientists recently discovered a special types of nanoparticles used to synthesize new solid adsorbents for CO2 capture and utilization, that captures CO₂  more economically and efficiently.

Indian Scientists Discover Special Nanoparticles that Capture CO2 in More Economical Way

Carbon capture and utilization are growing fields of research focusing on reducing CO₂ emissions. A recent United Nations report says that carbon capturing will no longer be an option if we have to save the planet from the increasing problem of Climate Crisis.

A group of Indian scientists at Indian Institutes of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata, has discovered a new way to synthesize new solid adsorbents for CO₂ capture and utilization. Here, Adsorption is a process in which pollutants are adsorbed on the solid surface.

For an uninitiated, Adsorbent is different from 'Absorbent' !. Adsorbent refers to a material which allows a dissolved solid, gas, or liquid to adhere to its surface. An absorbent, on the other hand, is a material which allows gases and liquids to permeate it uniformly.

Professor Rahul Banerjee’s group at IISER-Kolkata, with support from Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India under Mission Innovation program, has demonstrated a strategy to synthesize novel solid adsorbents, especially for CO2 capture and CO2 utilization.

Interestingly, this discovery of new material from IISER comes within a month after Professor Deepak Dhar of the same institute but different location (IISER-Pune) becomes first ever Indian physicist to receive the prestigious Boltzmann Medal for his contribution in the field of statistical physics.

Prof. Banerjee’s group has discovered special types of nanoparticles or microparticles which can capture CO2 in their micro and mesoporous voids.

To help you with few scientific vocabulary coming ahead in this article -- 'Zeolites' are microporous, 3-dimensional crystalline solids. And, 'Janus' particles are special types of nanoparticles or microparticles whose surfaces have two or more distinct physical properties. This unique surface of Janus particles allows two different types of chemistry to occur on the same particle.

This interestingly new materials with distinct physical properties on its surfaces have been synthesized include porous Covalent organic frameworks like Covalent Organic Framework (COF) -graphene Janus thin films, which are ultralight in weight, published in Journal of  'American Chemical Society’ , and porous covalent bonded organic nanotubes published in Nature Chemistry, while COF coated zeolite published in ‘Journal of American Chemical Society’.

The good choice of 2D graphene sheets as a grafter helped the researchers to design and create COF-graphene Janus thin films through the interactions (non-covalent) between the COF and graphene, rendering flexible porous Janus films at the DCM (Dichloromethane) -water interface.

This newly designed COF-coated zeolites could be an excellent candidate for CO2 storage in the industry due to their high surface area and increased chemical stability.

The high CO2 uptake for the COF coated zeolites, even after treatment with weak acids makes it appropriate for industrial purposes. The COFs coating prevented the degradation of zeolite structure from moisture, weak acids, and water. The CO2 uptake data for COF coated zeolite at 1 bar, 293K is 132 cc/g, supersedes the CO2 uptake data of zeolite under the same condition.

India Committed to Curtail Carbon Emissions in the Antarctic Atmosphere

An aerial view of the Indian Station Maitri, Antarctica on 2 February 2005
[Image Credit - Ministry of Science & Technology (GODL-India), GODL-India, via Wikimedia Commons]

India is one of nine nations to have multiple stations within the Antarctic Circle as it has commissioned three scientific and research stations in Antarctic region, which includes Dakshin Gangotri, Bharati and Maitri. These stations are being used for various scientific and geographical studies including oceanographic, the phenomenon of continental breakup, as well as biology, earth sciences, glaciology, atmospheric sciences, meteorology, cold region engineering, communication, human physiology, and medicine.

In a latest, regarding usage of these stations in Antarctic region and their implications on climate in the the region's atmosphere India's Union Minister, Dr Jitendra Singh addressed the International Conference commemorating the signing of the Madrid Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty.

He said that India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is committed to curtail carbon emissions in the Antarctic atmosphere. He said, India has already adopted the green energy initiative by experimenting with the feasibility of wind energy production and installed moderate output of Wind Energy Generators (WEG) on an experimental basis. The choice of Combined Heat and Power (CHP) for Bharati station to reduce carbon emissions in the Antarctic also promotes India's pledge to protect the environment, he added.

Bharati Station [Image - ncaor.gov.in]

The Conference was attended virtually by Prime Minister of the host country Spain Pedro Sanchez, Prime Minister of New Zealand Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of Australia Scott Morrison, Ministers and delegates representing the different countries signatory to the Protocol.

Dr Jitendra Singh further said that India is looking forward to contributing to the evolving Climate Change Response Work Programme of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP). He said, Climate-induced Carbon Dioxide (CO2) uptake by polar oceans causing acidification that destroys marine environments and ecosystems, gradually affecting fisheries, and lastly, propelling disastrous biome shifts is one of the challenges for the next 30 years. The Minister reiterated that India also anticipates tourism growth and Illegal Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing as potential issues.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, India is committed to the comprehensive protection of the Antarctic environment and dependent and associated ecosystems, and the designation of Antarctica as a natural reserve devoted to peace and science. 

He said, India also reaffirms its commitment to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and at this moment claims to:

1. Implement all Decisions, Resolutions and Measures adopted at ATCM in the Indian Antarctic programme effectively.
2. Use green alternate energy system in both the Indian Antarctic research stations; Maitri and Bharati like solar panels and wind energy generators so compromising use of fossil fuel gradually and make station efficient with alternate green energy.
3. Reduce carbon footprints by using vehicles and machinery only when required at the most
4. Use shared supply ship to deliver human resources, materials and machines to Antarctica
5. Control the introduction of non-native species into Antarctica by any means or through vector transfer.

Dr Jitendra Singh said, “We have completed 30 years of adoption of signing and implementation of the Madrid Protocol, which reaffirms its commitment to preserving Antarctic environmental and dependent ecosystems”. Forty-two state parties acceding to the Madrid Protocol are a remarkable feat of sustainable preserving the Antarctic environment and Indian felt honoured to sign the "Protocol" in the year 1998, he added.

The Minister congratulated Spain for organizing this successful meeting and conference and providing an opportunity to mark our commitments towards protecting the Antarctic Environment.

India signed the Antarctic Treaty on 19th August 1983 and soon thereafter received consultative status on 12th September 1983. The Madrid Protocol was signed by India which came into force on 14th January, 1998. India is one of the 29 Consultative Parties to the Antarctic Treaty. India is also a member of Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programme (COMNAP) and Scientific Committee of Antarctica Research (SCAR). All these representations show the significant position that India holds among the nations involved in Antarctic research.

India has two active research stations; Maitri (commissioned in 1989) at Schirmacher Hills, and Bharati (commissioned in 2012) at Larsemann Hills in Antarctica. India has successfully launched 40 annual scientific expeditions to Antarctica till date. With Himadri station in Ny-Alesund, Svalbard, Arctic, India now belongs to the elite group of nations that have multiple research stations within the Polar Regions.

The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty was signed in Madrid on October 4, 1991 and entered into force in 1998. It designates Antarctica as a “natural reserve, devoted to peace and science”.

World's Largest CO₂ Removal Plant Switching On Today in Iceland

Zurich, Switzerland-based insurance firm Swiss Re and Swiss-based startup Climeworks are partnering to combat climate change by setting up world's first large-scale Direct Air Capture (DAC) + storage plant. The plant, known as Orca, will annually draw down a volume of emissions equivalent to about 870 cars.

Orca, the largest DAC plant in the world will open today (Sept. 8) in Iceland - 5pm CET / 3pm GMT / 11am EST.

Swiss Re and Climeworks have signed the world’s first long-term purchase agreement for direct air capture and storage of carbon dioxide, worth USD 10 million over 10 years.

The Orca facility consists of 8 collector containers, with an annual capture capacity of 500 tons each. The containers are arranged around a central process hall that accommodates all electrics, such as the processing unit, allowing us to operate and control the facility from afar. The heat and electricity required to run the direct air capture process is supplied by the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant. An important aspect was that Orca is smoothly integrated into the beautiful Icelandic landscape. Climeworks, therefore, says that it chose earthy colours and natural materials that give it a natural touch.

The technological carbon removal solution offered by Climeworks in Iceland filters carbon dioxide (CO2) from ambient air using geothermal energy. The captured CO2 is then sent for permanent storage in nearby rock layers. It is dissolved in water and pumped deep underground, where it reacts naturally with the surrounding basalt rock to form stable carbonate minerals – the CO2 literally turns into stone. This is considered the safest, most durable form of all carbon removal solutions that are commercially available today.

Further, Climeworks has also signed agreement with Carbfix for the safe storage of the CO₂ through underground mineralization. The underground basaltic rock formations in Iceland provide the ideal conditions for this process, providing a permanent solution for CO₂ storage. The energy required to run the direct air capture process comes from purely renewable resources and is supplied by ON Power, operating the Hellisheidi Geothermal Power Plant.

Climework's machines consist of modular CO₂ collectors that can be stacked to build machines of any size. The startup's Orca plant will take carbon dioxide removal to the next level by combining Climeworks' direct air capture technology with the underground storage of carbon dioxide provided by Carbfix. Orca will capture 4000 tons of CO₂ per year - making it the world's biggest climate-positive facility to date.

Startup Plans To Remove 1 Billion Tons of CO2 from Atmosphere by 2035, By Turning It To Stone

California, U.S. - based Heirloom Carbon Technologies is aiming to remove 1 billion tons of carbon dioxide by 2035, using natural processes to engineer the world's most cost-effective Direct Air Capture solution.

To help minerals absorb CO2 from the ambient air in days instead of years, Heirloom will use its own technology to enhance a natural process called Carbon Mineralization, wherein carbon dioxide in the air and water chemically bind to naturally occurring minerals and permanently turn to stone.

Seeing that climate change and its effects has arrived early, the startup says --

Deploying carbon dioxide removal at gigaton-scale is now a requirement if we want to keep global temperature rise below 1.5°C. Our solution is built on the foundations of high-quality carbon removal, with social, economic, environmental, and political impacts in mind.

Carbon mineralization is the process by which carbon dioxide (CO2) becomes a solid mineral/ rock, such as a carbonate. It is a chemical reaction that happens when certain naturally abundant minerals are exposed to carbon dioxide. The biggest advantage of carbon mineralization is that the carbon cannot escape back to the atmosphere.

Heirloom accelerates the natural properties of these minerals to permanently remove CO2 from the atmosphere and store it safely underground. By combining the best of nature and engineering, we can offer the most cost-effective, scalable direct air capture system in the world.

In this process, widely available and low-cost minerals are used to produce oxides that naturally bind to CO2 at ambient conditions. Then exposed to the air passively rather than relying on energy-intensive and high-cost air contactors.

Last month, Heirloom has raised an undisclosed amount of seed funding from major investors including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Lowercarbon Capital, and Prelude Ventures. (Industry sources say it’s in the millions.)

In addition, the payment tech firm Stripe, will purchase nearly 250 tons of carbon removal from the company at $2,054 per ton.

Bangalore-based Startup Awarded for Developing Technology of Converting CO2 to Chemicals and Fuels

A Bangalore based startup has received the National Award 2021 from Technology Development Board (TDB) for developing a commercial solution for conversion of CO2 to chemicals and fuels.

Breathe Applied Sciences, a startup incubated at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) developed efficient catalysts and methodologies for the conversion of CO2 to methanol and other chemicals.

It has led to improvisation of process engineering to enhance the production of chemicals and fuels from anthropogenic CO2 generated from various sources including coal and natural gas power generation sectors, steel industry, cement industry, and chemical industries and integrating multiple components involved in the CCUS (Carbon capture, utilization, and sequestration) to develop a complete solution for the environmental issues due to global warming.

The research was carried out by Prof. Sebastian C Peter and his group from the New Chemistry Unit at JNCASR. He is also a co-founder and director of Breathe Applied Sciences which was started from the generous funding from DST Nano Mission.

The startup signed an agreement with JNCASR, an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology for transfer of technology based on lab-scale research on reducing CO2 to methanol and other useful chemicals and fuels.

The MOU helped in smooth translation of the research in the area of CO2 reduction to useful chemicals and fuels from the laboratory scale to pilot scale economically.

“In the pilot mode, the current capacity of CO2 conversion is 300 kg per day, which can be scaled up to several 100 tons in an industrial scale. It will take some time to reach the level of industrial production. A few industry sectors are in discussion with Breathe for potential use of our developed technology soon" said Prof. Sebastian C Peter.

NTT Com’s Prototype Platform Securely Shares CO2 Emissions-related Data from Switzerland to Sites in Germany and Japan

NTT Communications Corporation (NTT Com), the ICT solutions and international communications business within the NTT Group, announced today that it has succeeded in a trial sharing of production-line data related to CO2 emissions via a prototype platform that enables interconnection via IDS standards which support data sovereignty in GAIA-X data ecosystem. The trial data, which normally would not be available for sharing due to its high confidentiality even though partners engaged in actual business would need to perform CO2 emissions calculations, was transmitted securely to designated sites in Germany and Japan from Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne in Switzerland.

 
  

Flow chart of recent data-sharing trial (Graphic: Business Wire)

GAIA-X is an initiative announced by the German and French governments in October 2019 to support data sharing via infrastructure that ensures data protection, transparency, reliability and interoperability to protect the rights of European companies, governments, institutions and citizens.

 

NTT Com conducted the trial under the assumption that such data will be used by companies engaged in actual business to review their manufacturing methods to achieve greater decarbonization. The prototype platform, which enables interconnection with IDS Connectors, also is equipped with DATA Trust^®, a mechanism for the secure sharing of highly confidential data.

 

The trial involved the sharing of electricity-consumption data that business partners typically would use to calculate CO2 emissions generated during the manufacturing of specific products. The trial confirmed that NTT’s platform can share such data securely with only those parties permitted by law or contract.

 

The prototype was developed using Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (Software Innovation Center)'s business-to-business data distribution technology, in cooperation with Robot Revolution & Industrial IoT Initiative (RRI), International Data Spaces Association (IDSA), Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne and Japan Innovation Park.

 

NTT Com plans to exhibit the trial results at the joint booth of IDSA and RRI during the Hannover Messe industrial fair in Germany from April 12-16.

 

“Japan is very close to Europe in the field of industry, with a strong experience in automotive, steel, or manufacturing,” said Hubert Tardieu, Chairman of GAIA-X AISBL. “The main objective in every industry is nowadays data sharing and service orchestration like in GAIA-X. NTT Communications starts with a first run in data sharing between, Japan, Germany and Switzerland, using the IDS standard which supports data sovereignty in GAIA-X data ecosystems. We are proud at GAIA-X AISBL to strongly support the launching of the japan Hub trough NTT Communications and start more use cases around GAIA-X.”

 

Going forward, NTT Com will build a test environment in Japan to connect with GAIA-X and start interoperability tests with multiple partner companies around the world this summer. If all goes well, NTT Com hopes to launch an official platform within the fiscal year ending in March 2022. The launch would be coordinated with organizations and groups involved with international data distribution, including Data Society Alliance, OPC Foundation Japan, RRI, GAIA-X AISBL and IDSA.

 

Data utilization has become indispensable for initiatives such as global decarbonization, the early achievement of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and the strengthening of industries. At the same time, however, legal systems and technologies to regulate and manage data use are being developed around the world, one of which is GAIA-X, to prevent the leakage of corporate and national secrets and to protect data sovereignty.

 

In the future, it is expected that companies will be required to use GAIA-X to send and receive highly confidential data to and from business partners in European countries. This means that companies unable to use GAIA-X would not be able to do business with European partners if sensitive data sharing were involved. NTT Com’s envisioned platform, however, would enable such companies to easily connect to GAIA-X without have to spend valuable time and money on an acceptable data-sharing solution.

 

About NTT Communications

 

NTT Communications solves the world's technology challenges by helping enterprises overcome complexity and risk in their ICT environments with managed IT infrastructure solutions. These solutions are backed by our worldwide infrastructure, including industry leading, global tier-1 public and private networks reaching over 190 countries/regions, and more than 500,000m² of the world's most advanced data center facilities. Our global professional services teams provide consultation and architecture for the resiliency and security required for your business success, and our scale and global capabilities in technology world are unsurpassed. Combined with NTT Ltd., NTT Data, and NTT DOCOMO, we are NTT Group.
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