Law Notify : NITI Aayog has released a set of reports in New Delhi outlining decarbonisation roadmaps for the cement, aluminium and MSME sectors, marking a key step in aligning industrial growth with India’s climate goals.

Speaking at the launch, NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Suman Bery stressed the central role of the MSME sector in India’s development journey. He highlighted that strengthening MSMEs is essential, as the sector remains a major driver of employment, innovation and inclusive economic growth, alongside the need for sustained overall economic expansion.

NITI Aayog CEO BVR Subrahmanyam noted that the aluminium and cement industries are among the most energy-intensive sectors and are significant contributors to industrial emissions. He said that decarbonising these sectors is critical not only to meet India’s climate commitments but also to ensure long-term economic competitiveness.

According to Subrahmanyam, the roadmaps present a clear vision to help the aluminium, cement and MSME sectors cut emissions while continuing to grow and remain globally competitive. For MSMEs in particular, the focus is on enabling a smooth and inclusive transition through better access to affordable green finance, cleaner technologies and capacity-building support.

The report recommends measures such as greater use of refuse-derived fuels, increased clinker substitution, scaling up of carbon capture, utilisation and storage, and effective implementation of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme to achieve deep decarbonisation in the cement sector.

It also outlines a green transition pathway for MSMEs built around three key levers: deployment of energy-efficient equipment, adoption of alternative fuels, and integration of green electricity into operations.