Cement, Energy and Environment

53 processing plants. • Energy Efficiency: Enhancing energy efficiency in mining operations to reduce overall CO 2 emissions. • Renewable Energy Integration: Incorporating renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, to power mining operations, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels. • Geological Storage: Storing captured CO 2 in geological formations, such as depleted mines or deep saline aquifers, to prevent it from entering the atmosphere. IMPLEMENTING CCTS FOR LIMESTONE MINING: • The cement industry, which uses limestone as a key raw material, is one of the sectors targeted by CCTS. • Limestone mining activities contribute to GHG emissions, particularly through fossil fuel combustion and the mining process itself. • CCTS provides a market-based mechanism for limestone mining companies to reduce their emissions and potentially generate carbon credits. • This can incentivize companies to adopt cleaner mining practices, such as using renewable energy sources, improving energy efficiency in mining operations, and exploring technologies for capturing and storing emissions. THE FOLLOWING PROCESS CAN BE FOLLOWED IN A MINE FOR CCTS - SETTING EMISSION TARGETS: The government or regulatory body sets Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) targets for mining companies. GEI refers to the amount of GHGs emitted per unit of output (e.g., tonnes of ore). COMPLIANCE MECHANISMS: CCTS includes a compliance mechanism, where obligated entities (like Limestone mining companies) are given emission reduction targets. These targets are usually expressed as GHG emission intensity (GHG emissions per unit of output). Mining companies can achieve compliance with these targets in two ways: • Reducing their own emissions: This involves investing in clean technologies, improving energy efficiency, and adopting sustainable mining practices. • Purchasing carbon credit: If a mining company emits more than its allocated limit, it can purchase carbon credits from companies that have emitted less than their allocated limit. • Offset Mechanism: The offset mechanism allows entities (including limestone mining companies) to voluntarily participate in the market by reducing or removing GHG emissions. This can lead to the creation of carbon credit that can be traded. INDIAN CARBON MARKET (ICM): The ICM is the platform where carbon credits are bought, sold, and traded. It provides a unified framework for transparent and efficient carbon trading. Process flow of CCTS for limestone mining: • Target Setting: The Ministry of Environment, Forest andClimateChange (MoEFCC) setsGHG emission intensity targets for obligated entities in the limestone mining sector. Obligated entities in the mining sector are required to comply with prescribed GHG emission intensity targets. Thiscanbeachievedbyeither reducing emissions or purchasing carbon credits. • Compliance: Limestone mining companies must comply with these targets in each compliance cycle. Mining companies that reduce their emissions below the prescribed targets can generate and sell carbon credits. Conversely, companies that exceed their targets can purchase carbon credits from other entities to comply with the regulations. • Monitoring and Reporting: Companies must monitor and report their GHG emissions. Mining companies participating in the CCTS will need to establish monitoring plans, submit periodic reports, and measure their emissions within defined boundaries. Accredited agencies will verify the reported data to ensure accuracy and adherence to standards. • Credit Generation: If a company reduces its emissions below its target, it can generate carbon credit. • Trading: These carbon credits can then be traded on the Indian Carbon Market (ICM).