SYLLABUS

GS-3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.

Context: Recently, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy notified standards of Green Ammonia and Green Methanol for India to accelerate the trade of Green Hydrogen derivatives. 

More on the News

• The standards define emission thresholds and eligibility conditions for fuels to be classified as green.

• The notification aims to promote the development and trade of green hydrogen derivatives in India.

• The initiative forms part of the National Green Hydrogen Mission, which was approved by the Union Cabinet on 4 January 2023 with an outlay of ₹19,744 crore. 

About National Green Hydrogen Mission

• The National Green Hydrogen Mission aims to make India a global hub for production, utilisation, and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives like Green Ammonia and Green Methanol. 

• The Mission has set ambitious goals such as production of 5 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) per annum of Green Hydrogen and to avoid nearly 50 MMT of greenhouse gas emissions every year by 2030 by 2030.  

• The mission supports the use of renewable energy for hydrogen production to reduce carbon emissions. 

Green Ammonia Standard for India

• The Green Ammonia Standard defines the maximum emission level allowed for ammonia to be classified as green.

• The Green Ammonia Standard for India requires that total non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions must not exceed 0.38 kg carbon dioxide equivalent per kg of ammonia (kg CO₂ eq/kg NH₃).

• The emission calculation includes emissions from green hydrogen production, ammonia synthesis, purification, compression and on-site storage, and it is calculated as an average over the preceding 12-month period.

Green Methanol Standard for India

• The Green Methanol Standard defines the emission threshold required for methanol to be classified as green.

• The Green Methanol Standard for India requires that total non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions must not exceed 0.44 kg carbon dioxide equivalent per kg of methanol (kg CO₂ eq/kg CH₃OH).

• The emission calculation includes emissions from green hydrogen production, methanol synthesis, purification and on-site storage, and it is calculated as an average over the preceding 12-month period.

• Sources of Carbon Dioxide for Green Methanol: 

• The notification allows carbon dioxide for green methanol production to be sourced from biogenic sources, direct air capture, or existing industrial sources. 
• The government may revise the list of eligible carbon dioxide sources in the future.

Significance of the Standards

• Regulatory Clarity for Industry: The standards establish clear emission thresholds and certification criteria for green ammonia and green methanol, providing certainty to investors, technology developers, and project developers in the emerging green hydrogen economy.

• Accelerating Industrial Decarbonisation: By enabling the use of green hydrogen derivatives, the standards support the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors such as fertilisers, shipping, power generation, and heavy industries, which rely heavily on conventional fossil-fuel-based fuels and feedstocks.

• Boosting Global Competitiveness: The framework aligns India with evolving international standards for low-carbon fuels, strengthening its position as a credible global supplier of green hydrogen and its derivatives.

• Promoting Export Opportunities: Standardisation facilitates certification and cross-border trade, helping India expand exports of green ammonia and green methanol, especially to markets pursuing net-zero targets.