The Department of Science and Technology (DST) in India has recently unveiled the Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Sequestration (CCUS) roadmap, a critical strategic document designed to guide the nation toward its ambitious carbon emission intensity reduction goals that are part of the nationally determined contributions. This high level task force, chaired by Dr. Ashish Lele, Director, CSIR-NCL, Pune and featuring subject matter experts from across the country including affiliated faculty of The Energy Consortium, Professor Rajnish Kumar, was tasked with identifying the necessary research and development trajectory for the next five to ten years. In conversation with the Energy Consortium communications team Prof Rajnish shared details about the thinking behind the CCUS roadmap document.
The primary focus of this roadmap is to foster a robust CCUS community in India that can effectively contribute to the national goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2070. While the destination is clear, the roadmap acknowledges that achieving this target requires a series of intermediate milestones focused on reducing fossil fuel dependence and curbing CO2 emissions.
The Scale of the Challenge
The motivation behind this roadmap is rooted in the sheer scale of India’s current carbon footprint. As of 2026, India emits approximately 3 billion tons of CO2 annually, making it the third-largest emitter globally, trailing only China and the United States. Although India’s per capita emissions remain low, the total volume is significant and is currently increasing at a rate of roughly 5% every year. If left unaddressed, these emissions could double to 6 billion tons in the near future.
Professor Rajnish compares the 2070 net-zero target to a “missile which shoots beyond visual range,” noting that because the destination is two generations away, it is difficult to visualize the exact path without rigorous modeling and planning. To reach net zero, India must aim to reduce at least 50% of its current emissions, which equates to roughly 1.5 billion tons per year. The roadmap serves as a vital tool to assess the cost implications, infrastructure needs, and technological interventions required to achieve such a massive reduction.
Industrial Implementation and Economic Reality
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) has already begun implementing phased emission intensity targets for over 700 companies across diverse sectors, including cement, steel, aluminum, and petrochemicals. While initial targets—such as a 7% to 15% reduction in emissions—are deemed achievable through better heat integration and waste reduction, deeper cuts represent a significant challenge.
Prof Rajnish highlights a “double whammy” facing energy-intensive industries: the lack of affordable high-end technology and the high cost of energy transitions. In India, coal remains a dominant and inexpensive energy source, sold at approximately 1 rupee per kg. Moving away from this cheap energy or retrofitting existing units with CCUS technology could double production costs, potentially making Indian products uncompetitive in the global market. Consequently, the roadmap emphasizes that achieving optimized costs and environmental protection simultaneously will require a combination of advanced research, government subsidies, and the development of voluntary carbon markets to help bridge the funding gap.
Technological Frontiers at IIT Madras
At the forefront of the technical research described in the roadmap are the efforts at IIT Madras, where researchers are developing several promising CO2 capture technologies. These include:
- Direct Air Capture (DAC): In collaboration with L&T, researchers have delivered DAC solutions that are already being implemented in hundreds of units across the country. This technology is particularly challenging because it must capture CO2 from the atmosphere where concentrations are as low as 400-500 ppm, requiring highly robust and efficient processes.
- Point Source Capture: The team is operating a 250 kg per day pilot scale unit exploring two main approaches: amine-based solvents and solid adsorbents like zeolites.
- Advanced Materials: Ongoing research involves testing a mixture of amines and ionic liquids, as well as proprietary technologies currently undergoing pilot-scale testing.
Despite these developments, the sources maintain a realistic outlook, noting that current research is still focused on reducing the “energy penalty” associated with capture materials. The goal is to move beyond simply matching existing market materials and instead optimize conditions to make the technology truly cost-effective.
The Academia-Industry Divide
A critical aspect of the roadmap is defining the transition of technology from academic labs to industrial application. There is often a mismatch in expectations; while industry seeks “finished products,” academia is primarily a training ground for PhD students focused on fundamental science. Professor Rajnish argues that academic institutions should generally not attempt to move beyond Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 5 or 6.
The higher TRL levels (7, 8, and 9) require specialized safety cells, massive human resources for 24/7 operation, and industrial-scale management that universities are not equipped to handle. Instead, the roadmap envisions a collaborative model where academia solves technical challenges and develops prototypes, while industry takes the lead on large-scale implementation.
This requires sustained efforts, often spanning two to three years, supported by experienced postdoctoral researchers who possess the specific skill sets needed for process development at scale.
The Role of Nature-Based Solutions
The roadmap also considers nature-based sequestration, such as projects involving the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board. While these solutions are viewed positively, the Professor cautions that they cannot be the sole remedy. With global emissions at 40 billion tons per year and the average person emitting 5,000 kg of CO2 annually, the rate of human emission far outpaces the natural sequestration rate. Nature-based solutions must therefore be implemented alongside human-engineered interventions, such as new materials, improved heat integration, and increased industrial efficiency.
A Bridging Solution for a Renewable Future
Ultimately, the sources characterize CCUS not as a permanent fixture, but as a “bridging solution”. The long-term outlook for India involves a complete transition away from fossil fuels toward renewable energy, a process estimated to take at least 30 to 40 years. During this transition period, India cannot afford to sit idle while emissions continue to rise.
CCUS provides a necessary pathway to reduce the national carbon footprint in the immediate three-to-five-year horizon while the infrastructure for a 100% renewable grid is established. By integrating research, policy, and industrial collaboration, the 2026 roadmap aims to ensure that India remains on a viable path toward its 2070 net-zero destination, utilizing CCUS to manage the environmental impact of its growth in the intervening decades.
