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Introduction:

India’s G-20 presidency marked a pivotal turn in global emphasis towards sustainable practices. With a keen focus on resource efficiency and circular economy, India showcased its commitment to decouple resource utilization from economic growth, thereby advancing the global stride towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

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India’s G-20 Presidency: Steering Towards a Circular Economy:

• Emphasis on Policy Paradigm:
  • Moved from the traditional ‘take-make-dispose’ model to the sustainable ‘reduce-reuse-recycle’ approach, underlying the gravity of building a resilient future.
• Circularity in the Steel Sector:
  • The steel industry, a cornerstone for infrastructural growth, is transitioning to a circular model, minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Despite the steel industry’s traditionally high carbon footprint, India is spearheading innovations. 
  • For instance, the integration of modern steelmaking technologies has resulted in an increase in electric arc furnace-based steel production from 25% in 2015 to an anticipated 30% by 2025.
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):
  • A cornerstone in value chain sustainability, EPR frameworks in India emphasize waste recycling and management.
  • India has successfully onboarded over 20,000 registered Producers, Importers, and Brand Owners (PIBOs) to assume waste management responsibility from their products. 
  • A noteworthy example is the recycling framework for e-waste and battery waste management, making it one of the world’s most comprehensive.
• Circular Bioeconomy:
  • Given the surge in biological resource consumption, India underscores the transition to a circular bioeconomy, spotlighting waste-to-wealth innovations.
  • The GOBAR Dhan scheme, aiming to convert cattle dung and organic waste into compost, biogas, and biofuels, serves as an archetype of India’s dedication to sustainable agriculture and waste management.
• Biofuels Adoption:
  • Proactively addressing environmental concerns, India has embedded biofuels into its energy spectrum.
  • The Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana fosters the inception of second-generation (2G) ethanol projects. 
  • The blending of biomass pellets with coal in thermal power plants further cements India’s dedication to reducing its carbon footprint.
• Industry-led Coalition for Circular Economy:
  • Envisaging the industry’s pivotal role, an envisioned coalition aims for technological collaboration and capability enhancement across sectors.
  • For instance, the mobilization of de-risked finance ensures the viability of green projects, thereby fostering sustainable industrial practices.

Listed below are the examples of initiatives in the areas of:

Steel Sector Circularity:

• Promotion of Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF): 
  • The Indian government has been pushing for increased adoption of Electric Arc Furnaces (EAF) for steel production, which are more energy-efficient and sustainable compared to the traditional blast furnace route.
  • The transition to EAF also aids in the increased use of scrap metal, reducing the demand for virgin iron ore and associated environmental impacts.
• National Steel Policy 2017: 
  • This policy emphasizes raising the per capita steel consumption and ensuring that the industry becomes globally competitive and sustainable. 
  • One of its aims is to promote research and development for more efficient and green steel production.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR):

• E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2016: 
  • The rules mandate producers to finance and organize an eco-friendly e-waste management system. 
  • They’re required to get an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Authorization from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), highlighting their E-waste management system.
• Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016: 
  • These rules require manufacturers and brand owners to work towards the environmentally sound management of plastic waste. 
  • They need to establish a system to collect back the plastic waste generated due to their products.

Circular Bioeconomy:

• GOBAR-Dhan Scheme: 
  • Launched under the Swachh Bharat Mission, the Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBAR-DHAN) scheme aims to manage and convert cattle dung and solid waste in farms to compost, biogas, and bio-CNG, helping farmers and promoting cleanliness.
• National Bamboo Mission: 
  • Revamped in 2018, the mission promotes the holistic growth of the bamboo sector by adopting a region-based strategies, including the establishment of bamboo clusters and improved access to quality planting material.

Biofuels Adoption:

• National Policy on Biofuels 2018: 
  • This policy encourages the production and use of biofuels, like biodiesel, bioethanol, etc.
  • It promotes advanced biofuels from non-food crops to avoid the food vs fuel conflict.
• Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana: 
  • This initiative supports the setting up of second-generation (2G) ethanol bio-refineries to produce bioethanol from agricultural residues, thereby not only providing additional income to farmers but also addressing environmental issues arising from burning these residues.
• SATAT (Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation) Initiative: 
  • Launched in 2018, this aims to promote Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) as an alternative green transport fuel, with targets to set up several CBG plants across India.

Conclusion: 

India’s steering role in the G-20 presidency has indubitably placed resource efficiency and circular economy on the global map. With sector-specific initiatives and industry collaborations, India not only showcases its commitment but also sets a precedent for global economies. Collaborative efforts, shared knowledge, and technological innovations, as fostered by India, will undeniably propel the world closer to sustainable and holistic growth.

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