LCA Initiatives at Tata Steel
Description
ISO 14040, ISO 14044 and WorldSteel Methodology will be followed to carry-out the LCA study. LCA modelling will be done using recognized software in which various scenario analysis can be done for effective results and comparisons. Based on this the intensive areas to be researched upon will be shared with the respective research domain for carrying out research projects. An extensive literature review will be carried out at the initial stage and project development will take its shape accordingly. In case the project has a high potential of becoming an innovation in that respective area, technical paper will be published and patent will be filed after going through the respective process as per our R&D’s IP cell. Based on the feasibility, the project will go through lab scale, bench scale and pilot scale experiments. Upon successful results for commercial operation, the project will be implemented for continuous operation. During the entire course of work respective documents on operational procedure will be prepared before the initiation and will be followed throughout the process.
Knowledge sharing and Capacity building on LCA takes place through our participation in Indian Conference on Life Cycle Management (ILCM), Tata Sustainability Conclave and workshops/Fellowship Programs by World Steel Association (WSA). In 2014, one of our LCA Researchers has been nominated from our company and got sel ected for an LCA Fellow position at WSA. Currently, he is associated with WSA’s LCA project on global steel industry. We also collaborate with Research Institutes, Universities and Companies on individual project basis upon need and requirements. We also conduct technical talks and workshops to bring a common platform for knowledge sharing. These kind of collaborations and participations will continue to be a part of our capacity building and this will bring in new expertise levels on our area of work.
The projects are governed by the respective Raw Material division and are carried out in collaboration with Process Technology Group, Raw Material Technology Group or R&D based on the kind of project.
Project on Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) development for Iron Ore Mines got completed recently. The project identified the changes in specific raw material consumption including the usage of chemicals, explosives and the consumption of energy for the two consecutive calendar years. This study will cater to overall steel product’s LCA study and also this study will be a base for any comparisons in the future LCI studies on Iron ore. The project gave suggestions on improvement in data collection, proper monitoring of recycled water and to reduce the manual calculation of consumption data in some areas.
SDGS & Targets
Goal 12
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
12.1
Implement the 10-Year Framework of Programmes on Sustainable Consumption and Production Patterns, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries
12.1.1
Number of countries developing, adopting or implementing policy instruments aimed at supporting the shift to sustainable consumption and production
12.2
By 2030, achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources
12.2.1
Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP
12.2.2
Domestic material consumption, domestic material consumption per capita, and domestic material consumption per GDP
12.3
By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses
12.3.1
(a) Food loss index and (b) food waste index
12.4
By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment
12.4.1
12.4.2
(a) Hazardous waste generated per capita; and (b) proportion of hazardous waste treated, by type of treatment
12.5
By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse
12.5.1
National recycling rate, tons of material recycled
12.6
Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle
12.6.1
12.7
Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities
12.7.1
Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans
12.8
By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature
12.8.1
Extent to which (i) global citizenship education and (ii) education for sustainable development are mainstreamed in (a) national education policies; (b) curricula; (c) teacher education; and (d) student assessment
12.a
Support developing countries to strengthen their scientific and technological capacity to move towards more sustainable patterns of consumption and production
12.a.1
Installed renewable energy-generating capacity in developing and developed countries (in watts per capita)
12.b
Develop and implement tools to monitor sustainable development impacts for sustainable tourism that creates jobs and promotes local culture and products
12.b.1
Implementation of standard accounting tools to monitor the economic and environmental aspects of tourism sustainability
12.c
Rationalize inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption by removing market distortions, in accordance with national circumstances, including by restructuring taxation and phasing out those harmful subsidies, where they exist, to reflect their environmental impacts, taking fully into account the specific needs and conditions of developing countries and minimizing the possible adverse impacts on their development in a manner that protects the poor and the affected communities
12.c.1
Amount of fossil-fuel subsidies (production and consumption) per unit of GDP
SDG 14 targets covered
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Contact Information
Umesh P Singh, Senior Manager, Corporate Sustainability