Auto, cement, and refinery sectors outline net zero roadmaps amid rising emissions at ET Net Zero Forum 2025
New Delhi: Indian oil refineries have committed to achieving
net zero emissions
by 2046, ahead of the global 2050 target, as the sector currently contributes 2.55 per cent of national emissions and emits around 46 million metric tonnes (MMT) of CO₂ annually, said Gaurang Mishra, Joint Director, Centre for High Technology (CHT), Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.
He was speaking at the panel discussion on "Building Climate-Resilient Industries: Strategies for High-Emission Sectors' at the ET India Net Zero Forum 2025.
Mishra said Indian refineries have moved from 10,000 parts per million (ppm) sulfur content to under 10 ppm. 'As of now, Indian PSE refineries emit around 46 MMT of CO₂ annually, with capacity at 258 MMTPA—expected to reach 310 MMTPA by 2030. Without intervention, emissions could rise to 67 MMT, but we have a clear roadmap. Through energy efficiency, fuel transition to gas, electrification, green hydrogen, and CCUS, we're taking a multi-pronged approach to drive this transition.'
In the cement sector, carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) and renewable energy are key strategies being deployed. 'Since 50–55 per cent of cement sector emissions come from the process itself, we're also focusing on carbon capture and utilisation. We're setting up a CCU facility at our eastern plant under a DST project, and earlier partnered with ADB for a feasibility study on large-scale CCU,' said Anupam Badola, Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer, Dalmia Cement (Bharat).
He said, 'In renewable energy, we've taken several steps—be it waste heat recovery-based power generation at our cement plants or setting up solar power through supportive captive policies. As of FY25, we've achieved 36 per cent renewable energy transition, and within a year, we aim to reach nearly 60%. Some plants have already crossed 70–80%, depending on regulatory support.'
Auto manufacturers also highlighted the importance of measuring actual use-phase emissions. 'In the auto sector, 97 per cent of a vehicle's carbon footprint begins the day it hits the road. Without accurate measurement and mapping, much of what we hear about net zero remains theoretical,' said Thakur S Pherwani, Chief Sustainability Officer, TVS Motor Company.
He added, 'Even clean energy sources like solar, wind, or batteries carry long-term environmental costs. Battery waste is a growing concern—we must build strong recycling and upcycling systems before it becomes a crisis. With EPR norms now extending beyond plastic to tyres, rubber, and metals, OEMs are shouldering rising responsibility, which could impact EV affordability.'
Mohit Raj, Senior General Manager - Business Development & Sustainability at PIL, stressed the importance of natural gas as a transition fuel. 'We're doing everything possible to reduce emissions, and the entire oil and gas sector is aligned on this. Natural gas, while a fossil fuel, remains a crucial low-emission transition fuel on the road to net zero. We've made major investments in LNG terminals, pipelines, refineries, and city gas distribution networks. It's essential that we fully optimise these assets before moving to the next phase of the net zero journey,' he said.
The panel discussion featured detailed accounts from leading industrial sectors on the strategies, investments, and technologies being adopted to cut emissions and align with India's 2070 net zero target.
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