Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) is emerging as a critical pathway for reducing emissions from hard-to-abate sectors and supporting India's Net Zero by 2070 target, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday, 27 October 2026. The announcement came on the sidelines of ESTIC-2026, the second edition of India's Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave, being held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi from 27–29 October 2026.

Why CCUS Matters for India

Renewable energy can substantially cut emissions across the economy, but several industrial processes remain resistant to electrification — particularly those requiring very high temperatures or carbon-based inputs. CCUS addresses this gap by capturing carbon dioxide from industrial sources before it enters the atmosphere, then either utilising it in productive applications or storing it securely underground.

According to the official statement, NITI Aayog identifies CCUS as critical for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors including steel, cement, oil and gas, petrochemicals, chemicals, and fertilisers. These industries contribute significantly to industrial emissions and face structural technological barriers to achieving deep decarbonisation through electrification alone.

Building an Indigenous CCUS Ecosystem

The government is actively fostering an ecosystem that brings together research institutions, public sector enterprises, and private industry. This ecosystem spans operational projects, projects under execution, and proposed initiatives across multiple states. According to the statement, these collective efforts are laying the foundation for indigenous CCUS capabilities, carbon utilisation infrastructure, and secure carbon storage networks.

By connecting capture with utilisation and underground storage across multiple stages, the integrated approach is designed to address emissions while preserving industrial output. Officials noted that CCUS can also open avenues for new technology development and industrial capability-building within India.

ESTIC-2026: The Conclave Context

The official statement was issued in the context of ESTIC-2026, organised by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under the theme 'Creative Minds, Catalyzing Science, Empowering Technologies.' Spanning 12 thematic areas, the conclave features plenary sessions, technical discussions, and exhibitions, with energy technologies — including CCUS — forming a central focus.

This is the second edition of the conclave, reflecting the government's intent to institutionalise a platform for translating frontier science into industrial application. Notably, the choice of CCUS as a headline theme signals its elevation from a niche research interest to a mainstream policy priority.

Industrial Competitiveness and Climate Goals

The official framing positions CCUS not merely as a climate tool but as a driver of industrial competitiveness and resource efficiency. The statement argues that CCUS can reduce emissions from existing facilities while sustaining the production of essential goods — a balance India will need as it pursues economic growth alongside its 2070 net-zero commitment made at COP26.

Critics and climate economists have long noted that CCUS technology remains expensive and has yet to scale globally; the government's emphasis on indigenous capability-building suggests an attempt to bring down costs domestically over time. As the conclave runs through 29 October 2026, further policy signals on CCUS financing and regulatory frameworks are expected.