Thought leadership

Sustainable green metals: A catalyst for decarbonisation in the face of climate change

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Contents

Metals are essential to modern living, supporting infrastructure growth, everyday conveniences, and technological advancement. Metals include iron and steel, tools and cutlery, articles made of iron, steel, aluminium, copper, nickel, ceramite, zinc and lead, among other things. These are crucial to advancing society in various fields, including technology, infrastructure, healthcare, and transportation. The metals and mining sector is the backbone of India’s industrial and infrastructure growth. Metals also play an important role in driving current trends, especially in the shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) and other emerging technologies.

However, most heavy metals cause environmental and atmospheric pollution, and are lethal to humans. The production of metals, especially through traditional methods such as smelting, is energy-intensive and releases significant amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. By adopting cleaner and more sustainable practices, such as using renewable energy sources and implementing advanced technologies, the industry can contribute to global efforts in achieving carbon neutrality.

Decarbonising the metals sector is imperative for meeting sustainability goals due to its substantial contribution to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily from energy-intensive processes reliant on fossil fuels. These emissions exacerbate climate change, necessitating a shift toward cleaner production methods. Additionally, the traditional extraction of raw materials contributes to resource depletion and environmental damage, emphasizing the importance of adopting sustainable practices such as recycling.

This report talks about various ways to implement decarbonisation and move towards green metals.