India’s journey towards a cleaner and more sustainable future reflects a growing commitment to combine economic development with environmental responsibility. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country has taken important steps to strengthen renewable energy, promote green hydrogen and develop technologies to reduce industrial carbon emissions.
These initiatives reflect a long-term vision in which energy security, scientific innovation and environmental protection become important pillars of India’s development.
The Prime Minister’s approach recognises that a growing economy needs reliable energy, but its development must also address climate change. His emphasis on clean energy is not limited to expanding solar and wind power. It also includes finding solutions for industries that cannot easily move away from fossil fuels. Green hydrogen and Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) are two important initiatives in this direction.
A vision that began with Green Hydrogen
A significant step came on Independence Day in 2021, when Prime Minister Modi announced the National Hydrogen Mission from the Red Fort, highlighting India’s ambition to become a global centre for green hydrogen production and exports. The Union government approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission on January 4, 2023, with an initial outlay of ₹19,744 crore.
The mission aims to establish India as a global hub for the production, use and export of green hydrogen. It targets annual production capacity of at least five million metric tonnes by 2030. The expected benefits include more than ₹8 lakh crore in investment, over six lakh jobs and a reduction of more than ₹1 lakh crore in cumulative fossil fuel imports.
These targets reflect an effort to address two major challenges together- reducing pollution and lowering dependence on imported energy. By encouraging domestic manufacturing of electrolysers, supporting research and developing new markets, the government is seeking to build an entire industrial ecosystem rather than relying only on the import of clean-energy technologies. Green hydrogen can be particularly useful in fertiliser production, petroleum refining, steel manufacturing, heavy transport and shipping. Replacing fossil fuel-based hydrogen with green hydrogen in these sectors can help reduce emissions while strengthening domestic industrial capabilities.
Taking clean energy beyond renewable power
While renewable energy can reduce dependence on fossil fuels, some industrial processes continue to release large amounts of carbon dioxide. Recognising this challenge, the government is also promoting carbon capture, utilisation and storage, commonly known as CCUS. The technology captures carbon dioxide before it enters the atmosphere and either converts it into useful products or stores it securely underground. It can support emission reduction in sectors such as steel, cement, chemicals, refineries and power generation.
An important policy step came with the Union Budget 2026-27, which allocated ₹20,000 crore over five years for promoting CCUS across five major industrial sectors- power, steel, cement, refineries and chemicals. This initiative demonstrates the importance being given to technological solutions for industries where emissions are difficult to eliminate. Rather than treating climate action and industrial development as opposing goals, the approach seeks to make cleaner production an integral part of India’s economic progress.
India’s first integrated CCUS Field Laboratory at IIT Bombay, inaugurated in May 2026, is another significant development. The indigenous facility can capture up to three tonnes of carbon dioxide daily from industrial emissions and ambient air. It provides a platform for researchers to test technologies, develop practical solutions and explore safe, permanent carbon storage.
Research, jobs and self-reliance
The larger significance of these initiatives lies in their potential to create new industries, encourage innovation and generate employment. The National Green Hydrogen Mission includes support for research and development, pilot projects, skill development and domestic manufacturing. The CCUS programme similarly encourages collaboration between research institutions, public sector organisations and private industry.
These efforts can help Indian scientists and businesses develop technologies suited to the country’s needs. They can also create opportunities for young professionals, engineers, researchers and skilled workers. The government estimates that the green hydrogen mission could generate over six lakh jobs by 2030. It also expects the targeted production and use of green hydrogen to help avert nearly 50 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. Such outcomes, if achieved, would strengthen India’s energy security, support industrial competitiveness and contribute to its commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
Turning vision into lasting progress
The success of these initiatives will depend on consistent implementation, affordable technology, adequate infrastructure and strong cooperation between the government, industry and research institutions. Green hydrogen production costs must become competitive, while carbon capture projects must demonstrate environmental effectiveness and long-term safety. Prime Minister Modi’s emphasis on clean energy has helped place these technologies within India’s wider development agenda. The task ahead is to translate ambitious targets into measurable results, ensuring that investments lead to functioning projects, new employment and meaningful reductions in emissions.
India’s green transition is therefore not simply an environmental necessity; it is also an opportunity to build a stronger and more self-reliant economy. By combining green hydrogen, carbon management and indigenous scientific capabilities, India can pursue economic growth while taking greater responsibility for its environmental future. These initiatives can become important milestones in the country’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047 and net-zero emissions by 2070.
(Umanath Singh is a Senior Editor with Prasar Bharati)
