7. Strategies to Lower Carbon Emissions in Industry

Major anthropogenic sources of these emissions include vehicular transport and industrial activity. The industrial sector accounts for the largest share of delivered energy consumption and is expected to consume over half of the global delivered energy in 2040. 31% of the world energy consumption or 200 quadrillion British Thermal unit (Btu) is consumed in the industrial sector worldwide. This is expected to rise to 307 Btu in 2040. Commensurate with the energy consumption in the world, worldwide energy-related carbon dioxide emissions are expected to increase from 31 billion metric tons to 36 billion metric tons in 2020 and 45 billion metric tons in 2040. Greenhouse gas emissions for 2012 are estimated to be 31.6 Gt (Gt). This paper examines how much carbon dioxide can be attributed to industry and what are the ways to decarbonize industry in the Indian context. While the regulatory mechanism required to reduce energy intensity is in place for the most energy-intensive industrial sectors, the generation of electricity is still primarily dependent of coal. Use of renewable needs to be stepped up and is line with India’s commitment of INDCs.