Standards for a Net Zero Iron and Steel sector in India

The International Energy Agency has released a policy titled ‘Standards for a Net Zero Iron and Steel sector in India’.

About the Policy:

• The policy brief focuses on establishing standards for low and near-zero emissions steel in India.
• It includes details on emissions measurement methodologies and definitions or emissions thresholds.
• The brief is aimed at aligning with international efforts to standardize the steel sector and reduce emissions.

Key Highlights of the Policy

• Setting clear timelines for emissions reduction and measurement methods.
• Creation of markets for low-emissions materials and products.
• Development of policies to support commercial-scale low-emission steel technologies.
• Introduction of standards for emissions measurement, including systematic approaches at both the site and product levels.
• Highlighting the international collaboration on standardizing emissions thresholds and methodologies to minimize trade barriers and simplify processes.

Benefits of Standards for Low and Near-Zero Emissions Steel:

• Increased acceptance of emission-related measures by producers due to simplified processes.
• Assistance for policymakers to reduce duplicating efforts and minimize trade barriers.
• Setting a common verification approach to improve emissions understanding across various actors.
• Supports a systematic approach to measure emissions effectively, contributing to global efforts to mitigate climate change.

Measures Required to Standardize the Steel Sector:

• Engagement in international forums to ensure common solutions and avoid conflicting approaches.
• Building administrative capacity to gather and process emissions data accurately.
• Pilot detailed emissions measurement methodologies with leading companies to refine approaches.
• Establishment of definitions and thresholds that are clear, stable, ambitious, and adaptable to various national contexts.
• Development and implementation of technology-agnostic standards that allow for flexibility in achieving low and near zero emissions depending on the production methods and the availability of raw materials like scrap.

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