Industry does not meet green norms, says CSE

A new Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report on eve of the World Environment Day claimed that iron and steel industry — big consumers of energy — are lagging behind in efficiency compared to their global peers.

Indian industry may not be as green as it claims. A new Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) report on eve of the World Environment Day claimed that iron and steel industry — big consumers of energy — are lagging behind in efficiency compared to their global peers.

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Domestic steel industry is consuming 50% more energy compared internationally and using three times more water, the CSE said, releasing its two-year-long study. Many of the top Indian iron and steel companies evaluated failed to meet air quality norms. That was the apparent reason that a maximum score obtained by an Indian company on a rating of 100 was just 40. In some cases, it was as low as two or three. In all, 21 companies of the sector were evaluated in a comprehensive green evaluation.

"For us, this rating has come as a bit of shock. We ourselves are shocked with the scale of non-compliance. This sector has the ability to fix it as it has money. But, instead of seeking bettern environmental performance we are now seeing a down slide," CSE director general Sunita Narain said.

The steel sector in the country is producing 75 million tonnes (MT) per annum on about 75,000 ha of land or about 1,000 ha for a million tonne plant, while the global best practice is to have 200 ha for a similar capacity unit.

State-owned SAIL was ranked among the lowest. Its best performing plant could occupy the 11th spot on list of 21.

However, SAIL disagreed with the findings.