India Sets New Green Ammonia and Methanol Emission Rules for Trade

India has set new emission limits for green ammonia and methanol. This is a key step for the country's green hydrogen goals.
By Newsroom | Energy, India |

New emission benchmarks for green ammonia and green methanol have been established by the Indian government, a move aimed at formalizing the trade of derivatives produced from green hydrogen. The announced standards set strict limits on greenhouse gas emissions throughout the production process.

Emission Ceilings Detailed

Under the newly published guidelines, green ammonia must not exceed a total of 0.38 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram of ammonia (kg CO₂ eq/kg NH₃) for non-biogenic greenhouse gas emissions. This measurement is to be averaged over the preceding 12-month period and encompasses emissions from green hydrogen production, ammonia synthesis, purification, compression, and on-site storage.

Similarly, green methanol production faces a cap of 0.44 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent per kilogram of methanol (kg CO₂ eq/kg CH₃OH) for similar non-biogenic emissions. The calculation also averages over the past 12 months and includes emissions from green hydrogen production, methanol synthesis, purification, and on-site storage.

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Centre Announces Standards of Green Ammonia, Methanol for India - 1

The notifications, issued by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), are intended to bring clarity to the industry, investors, and other involved parties. The carbon dioxide utilized in the production of green methanol may originate from biogenic sources, direct air capture, or existing industrial sources.

Framework for Future Trade

These standards solidify India's regulatory infrastructure for green hydrogen and its derivatives, operating under the purview of the National Green Hydrogen Mission. The government also indicates that detailed methodologies for measurement, reporting, monitoring, on-site verification, and certification will be issued separately by the MNRE. This suggests a forthcoming system for assessing compliance with the established emission limits.

The development is positioned as a step to accelerate the trade of these cleaner fuel alternatives, with Indian developers reportedly targeting export markets for these green hydrogen derivatives.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What new rules has India made for green ammonia and methanol?
India has set new rules for how much greenhouse gas can be released when making green ammonia and green methanol. This is to help trade these cleaner fuels.
Q: What are the emission limits for green ammonia?
Green ammonia production cannot release more than 0.38 kg of CO2 equivalent per kg of ammonia. This is measured over 12 months and includes emissions from making the hydrogen and ammonia.
Q: What are the emission limits for green methanol?
Green methanol production cannot release more than 0.44 kg of CO2 equivalent per kg of methanol. This is also measured over 12 months and covers emissions from making the hydrogen and methanol.
Q: Where can the carbon dioxide for green methanol come from?
The carbon dioxide used to make green methanol can come from plants, from the air, or from factories.
Q: What happens next with these new rules?
The government will share more details soon on how they will measure, report, and check if companies are following these new emission rules. This will help speed up the trade of these cleaner fuels.