• A formal framework introduced by India to define and promote the production of steel with reduced carbon emissions.
• It sets clear standards for what constitutes green steel, aiming to help the Indian steel sector transition to low-carbon production methods.
• The taxonomy defines greenness percentages based on the steel plant’s carbon emission intensity.
• Seeks to ensure that production aligns with India’s goal of net-zero emissions by 2070.

• Emissions Threshold: Green Steel is defined based on emissions intensity, with steel plants needing to keep emissions below 2.2 tCO2 per tonne of finished steel (tfs) to be classified as green.

• Star Rating System:

1. 1. Five-star: Emission intensity lower than 1.6 t-CO2e/tfs.
   2. Four-star: Emission intensity between 1.6 and 2.0 t-CO2e/tfs.
   3. Three-star: Emission intensity between 2.0 and 2.2 t-CO2e/tfs.

• Steel exceeding 2.2 t-CO2e/tfs does not qualify as green steel.
• Emissions Scope: Includes Scope 1, Scope 2, and limited Scope 3 emissions, covering production, agglomeration, beneficiation, and emissions from raw materials and intermediates.
• Certification: NISST will oversee Measurement, Reporting, and Verification (MRV), issuing greenness certificates and star ratings annually.
• Review Period: The thresholds for green ratings will be reviewed every 3 years.

• Environmental Sustainability: Aims to reduce carbon footprint in line with national climate goals.
• Market Creation: Promotes innovation in low-carbon steel products.
• Global Competitiveness: Ensures Indian steel meets international sustainability standards.
• Guidance for Industry: Encourages adoption of greener practices.

• National Mission on Green Steel (NMGS): Policy support, funding, and incentives for low-carbon technologies.
• Electrification of Steelmaking: Use of electric arc furnaces (EAF) to reduce reliance on coal.
• Hydrogen-based Steelmaking: Exploring hydrogen as a clean fuel.
• Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS): Technologies to capture CO2 emissions.
• Public Procurement Policies: Promotes green steel use in public infrastructure.
• Research and Development: Investments in low-carbon technologies and materials.

PYQ:

[2020] Steel slag can be the material for which of the following

1. Construction of base road

2. Improvement of agricultural soil

3. Production of cement

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3 only