India, Feb. 23 -- Budget 2026-27's allocation of Rs.20,000 crore for carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) marks the beginning of a deeper commitment in India's net-zero journey. It signals readiness to engage with a category of emissions that cannot be addressed through energy substitution alone. It reflects a point where climate ambition is being aligned with industrial realism.

CCUS enters India's decarbonisation landscape as a complementary solution. It addresses emissions that persist even after efficiency gains and clean energy adoption have been realised. The country operates one of the youngest industrial asset bases globally, and premature retirement of these assets would impose significant economic and social costs. Ca...