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India’s maritime sector is at a critical juncture, where decarbonisation imperatives must be pursued in a manner that is technically robust, operationally safe and economically viable. In this context, the present study provides a comprehensive and evidence-based assessment of a spectrum of low-carbon and alternative fuel pathways relevant to Indian maritime operations, examined through lifecycle and Greenhouse Gas Fuel Intensity (GFI)-based analytical parameters.
The Hon'ble High Court of Madras, through its order dated 10.01.2025 in WP Nos. 27356 and 28266 of 2022 and WMP Nos. 13292, 13294, 35572, and 3700 of 2024 have directed the concerned authorities to take prompt and decisive action regarding environmental violations. The Court has specifically mandated that fines be levied not with leniency, but through robust control measures based on a scientific assessment of environmental loss and damage.
Post-Green Revolution Challenges
Fifty years after the Green Revolution, India is navigating "second-generation" agricultural challenges. Intensive, inorganic chemical-based farming has led to a decline in crop productivity, deteriorating soil health, and a loss of soil organic carbon. These systems have further resulted in ground and surface water pollution, increased pest incidence, and heightened water stress.
OTBL Campus Impact Challenge 2.0 - Encouraging Innovative Solutions for Environmental Sustainability in School Campuses
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in partnership with ONGC TERI Biotech Limited (OTBL), launched the ‘OTBL Campus Impact Challenge’ to inspire youth-led innovation for sustainability across Assam. Phase I of the initiative focused on engaging students from Higher Education Institutions to identify pressing sustainability challenges on their campuses and develop innovative, solution-oriented approaches.
The Green Ports Rating Framework and ESG-Based Reporting for Ports project has been undertaken to support India’s maritime sector in its transition toward sustainable, resilient, and environmentally responsible port operations. Recognizing the need for a consistent and transparent approach to measuring sustainability performance, the initiative establishes a standardized framework to assess and benchmark ports on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) parameters.
The Shore-to-Ship Power (SPS) Business Model project focuses on developing a scalable, techno-economically viable, and policy-relevant framework for implementing SPS systems across major Indian ports. SPS enables berthed vessels to shift from fossil-fuel-based auxiliary diesel generators to grid electricity, resulting in significant reductions in fuel costs and emissions.
The National Green Shipping Policy (NGSP) is an ongoing initiative led by the National Centre of Excellence for Green Ports and Shipping (NCoEGPS) to develop a comprehensive and forward-looking policy framework for India’s maritime sector. Aligned with India’s national climate goals and the International Maritime Organization’s decarbonization commitments, the project aims to enhance environmental sustainability, global competitiveness, and climate resilience of Indian shipping.
India has operationalized the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS), notified in June 2023 under the Energy Conservation (Amendment) Act, 2022, establishing a domestic carbon market that builds on the earlier Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) framework. Administered by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power, the scheme includes both a compliance mechanism for large “obligated entities” across key industrial sectors and a voluntary offset mechanism.
India, the world’s third-largest energy consumer, relies on fossil fuels for about 80 per cent of its energy needs, with coal dominating electricity generation (70 per cent) and expected to grow further despite renewable expansion targets. At the same time, India has committed to significant decarbonization goals, including a 47 per cent reduction in emissions intensity by 2035.