environmental sustainability

NHAI’s BEE CORRIDOR INITIATIVE

The National Highways Authority of India has launched a first-of-its-kind Bee Corridor initiative to develop pollinator-friendly green stretches along National Highways. The project focuses on planting native, nectar- and pollen-rich species to ensure year-round food and habitat for honeybees and other pollinators. By addressing pollinator decline caused by habitat loss, pesticides, and climate change, the initiative aims to strengthen agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and ecosystem services. It also represents a shift towards nature-based, climate-resilient infrastructure, integrating ecological conservation with highway development and promoting sustainable growth.

Bio-based chemicals and enzymes: Opportunities and challenges

Bio-based chemicals and enzymes are industrial products derived from renewable biological resources such as crops, biomass, and agricultural residues through processes like fermentation and enzymatic conversion. They offer a sustainable alternative to petrochemicals by reducing fossil fuel dependence, lowering carbon emissions, and supporting a circular bioeconomy.

India has strong potential in this sector due to its large agricultural base, established fermentation expertise, and growing manufacturing capacity. The government has prioritised biomanufacturing under the BioE3 policy, and domestic companies are increasingly investing in bio-based production. However, challenges such as higher costs, feedstock supply constraints, limited infrastructure, and slow market adoption need to be addressed.

With appropriate policy support, shared infrastructure, and market incentives, bio-based chemicals and enzymes can strengthen India’s industrial competitiveness, promote agricultural value addition, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

Scaling up Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) in India

Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) is a key technology that reduces industrial carbon emissions by capturing CO₂ and either reusing it in industrial applications or storing it safely underground. It is particularly important for hard-to-abate sectors such as steel, cement, and power, where emissions cannot be eliminated through renewable energy alone. For India, CCUS supports the transition to a low-carbon economy while ensuring energy security and industrial growth. However, high costs, infrastructure gaps, and policy challenges limit its large-scale deployment. Strengthening regulatory frameworks, carbon markets, financial incentives, and technological innovation will be essential to make CCUS a viable tool for achieving India’s net-zero target by 2070.