Decarbonizing India’s most carbon-intensive industries—steel, cement, and oil and gas—dominated discussions at the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) Global Summit on Sustainability 2025. The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), acting as Knowledge Partner, co-hosted a technical session titled “Hard-to-Abate Sectors: Decarbonization in Action”, which brought together policymakers, industry leaders, technocrats, innovators, and investors.
The session, curated under TERI’s Industry Charter for Near Zero Emission Ambition by 2050, showcased case studies and innovative solutions while emphasizing collaborative strategies to accelerate low-carbon pathways in hard-to-abate sectors.
Opening the session, Arupendra Nath Mullick, Associate Director, TERI-Council for Business Sustainability, underlined the role of heavy industries in supporting modern economies. “Businesses play a vital role by understanding the opportunities of a low-carbon economy and by mobilizing resources and solutions,” he said.
The discussion was moderated by RR Rashmi, Distinguished Fellow, TERI, who highlighted the need for a phased yet ambitious transition. “Achieving net zero will require a comprehensive sectoral framework, with both supply- and demand-side measures across energy efficiency, industrial transitions, technology, finance, and demand management,” Rashmi noted, adding that sectoral roadmaps under India’s Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) are still under preparation.
Industry perspectives underscored on-the-ground realities:
Sanjay Kumar Singh, Director – Strategy & External Relations, Jindal Steel Ltd., said that while major producers have announced decarbonization targets between 2047 and 2050, the sector faces significant hurdles. “Nearly 40% of India’s steel is produced by SMEs, who struggle with transition costs, technology access, and skills. The key challenge is ensuring the entire sector—not just large players—becomes truly green,” he stressed.
Sangeet Jain, Board Member and VP – ESG Strategy & Alliances, LanzaTech Pvt Ltd., highlighted carbon recycling innovations. He said the company’s technology, which converts industrial waste gases into ethanol and other chemicals, has been deployed globally and in India, with projects such as its Panipat collaboration. “Recycled carbon is already creating products like polyester and could pave the way for sustainable aviation fuel,” he said.
Yogesh Patgunan, Circular Economy Strategist, Sperry Green Technology Pvt Ltd., drew attention to plastics. “Through our Circular Production Program, we are showing how waste audits, reverse logistics, advanced recycling, and traceability can convert hard-to-abate plastics like PP, ABS, and HIPS into profitable circular solutions,” he said.
The session concluded that decarbonization of hard-to-abate sectors is not solely a technological challenge but requires policy vision, financial innovation, and industry-wide commitment. TERI reaffirmed its commitment to fostering such collaborations through the Industry Charter for Near Zero Emission Ambition by 2050, acting as a catalyst for scaling transformative climate action.
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