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India's Industrial Decarbonisation Strategy and Policy Gaps

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

This concept is central to India's sustainable development goals, its international climate commitments (Paris Agreement, Net-Zero 2070), and the effectiveness of its domestic environmental policies. It highlights challenges in policy implementation and data-driven governance.

Industrial decarbonisation is a critical component of India's long-term climate goals, including achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, while simultaneously pursuing economic growth targets like Viksit Bharat (2047). It involves reducing greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing and construction sectors.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Industrial Emissions Contribution

Industrial sector contributed over 20% of India's total emissions in 2022, as per India's First Biennial Transparency Report (BTR1) to UNFCCC.

Existing Mitigation Mechanisms

Market-based mechanisms like the Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT) scheme and the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) target specific energy-intensive industries (e.g., cement, steel, fertilizers).

Policy Gap: 'Non-specific Industries'

A significant policy gap exists as 'non-specific industries' account for over 40% of manufacturing and construction emissions but largely fall outside the scope of current mitigation policies.

Need for Data Disaggregation

Effective decarbonisation requires disaggregated data and targeted policies for these overlooked 'non-specific industries' to achieve national climate targets.

Reference table

Key Industrial Emission Mitigation Schemes

SchemePrimary FocusCurrent Status/Scope
Perform, Achieve and Trade (PAT)Reduce specific energy consumptionCovers 13 energy-intensive industries; 4 industries (thermal power, railways, DISCOMs, commercial buildings) continue under PAT.
Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS)Reduce emission intensityTransitioning from PAT; covers 9 industrial sectors (e.g., aluminium, cement, iron & steel, textiles).

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaEnvironmental Law & Policy
Conceptual areaAir Pollution & Emissions

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)International reporting framework
Niti AayogData and policy analysis
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • Industrial sector contributes >20% of India's total emissions (BTR1, 2022).
  • PAT and CCTS are key market-based mechanisms for industrial emission reduction.
  • PAT focuses on energy consumption, CCTS on emission intensity.
  • Over 40% of industrial emissions from 'non-specific industries' are largely uncovered by current policies.
  • Disaggregated data and targeted policies are crucial for effective decarbonisation and net-zero goals.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Which of the following statements with regard to Green Hydrogen is/are correct ? 1. It is decarbonized hydrogen obtained from natural gas reforming combined...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2026Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Which of the following statements with regard to Green Hydrogen is/are correct ? 1. It is decarbonized hydrogen obtained from natural gas reforming combined...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Studies indicate that carbon dioxide emissions from cement industry account for more than 5% of global carbo...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2024Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

One of the following regions has the world's largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels; and...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change. State...

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. "The Climate Group" is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

“Climate Action Tracker" which emission reduction pledges of different countries is a:

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2022Conceptual understanding, Terminology-based question

Consider the following statements: 1. "The Climate Group" is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks ...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

“Climate Action Tracker" which emission reduction pledges of different countries is a:

Environment & EcologyOpen question
2016Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Agreement was signed by all...

Environment & EcologyOpen question

Topic timeline

Environmental Law & PolicyAir Pollution & Emissions
Prelims 2016· Statement-based questions, Factual recall

With reference to the Agreement at the UNFCCC Meeting in Paris in 2015, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. The Agreement was signed by all...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: 1. "The Climate Group" is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks ...

Open question

“Climate Action Tracker" which emission reduction pledges of different countries is a:

Open question
Prelims 2022· Conceptual understanding, Terminology-based question

Consider the following statements: 1. "The Climate Group" is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks ...

Open question

“Climate Action Tracker" which emission reduction pledges of different countries is a:

Open question
Prelims 2023· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Carbon markets are likely to be one of the most widespread tools in the fight against climate change. State...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

One of the following regions has the world's largest tropical peatland, which holds about three years worth of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels; and...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: Statement I: Studies indicate that carbon dioxide emissions from cement industry account for more than 5% of global carbo...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is...

Open question

Which of the following statements with regard to Green Hydrogen is/are correct ? 1. It is decarbonized hydrogen obtained from natural gas reforming combined...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following statements with reference to India's response to climate change : I. India's Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) is...

Open question

Which of the following statements with regard to Green Hydrogen is/are correct ? 1. It is decarbonized hydrogen obtained from natural gas reforming combined...

Open question

India’s patchy industrial climate strategy

24 Jun 2026 · India's industrial decarbonisation strategy, crucial for net-zero 2070, faces challenges due to a significant portion of emissions from 'non-specific industries' being outside the scope of key policies like PAT and CCTS, necessitating better data and targeted interventions.

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