Environment Management Division

Environment Management Division (EMD)

Established on 23 June 1988 and headquartered in Kolkata, the Environment Management Division (EMD) stands as the apex corporate environmental vanguard of SAIL. EMD spearheads, synchronizes, and rigorously benchmarks eco-driven initiatives across SAIL’s expansive network of integrated steel plants, mines, and operational units.

As the central architect of SAIL’s green transition, EMD drives uncompromising statutory compliance, accelerates decarbonisation roadmaps, and embeds cutting-edge sustainability frameworks to power the future of responsible, low-carbon steelmaking.

Core Responsibilities

• Custodianship of Ecological Integrity: : Rigorously monitors, evaluates, and safeguards the environmental performance of SAIL’s plants, mines, and operational units through continuous surveillance, audit mechanisms, and benchmarked assessments.
• Unyielding Statutory Compliance:: Ensures seamless alignment with national and global environmental jurisprudence, statutory mandates, and internal corporate sustainability frameworks across the enterprise.
• Data-Driven Environmental Intelligence (MIS):Architects, maintains, and continuously upgrades sophisticated Management Information Systems (MIS) to capture, analyse and report real-time ecological metrics—transforming complex data into decisive, strategic action.
• Governance at the Apex:Coordinates high-level environmental disclosures and strategic reporting directly to SAIL’s Board of Directors via the Health, Safety & Environment (HSE) Sub-Committee.
• Pioneering Decarbonisation & Climate Action:Orchestrates, implements, and recalibrates SAIL’s master decarbonisation roadmap—driving deep-tech transition pathways to fulfil the nation's and the company’s net-zero and climate resilience objectives.

Pillars of Sustainability & ESG Leadership:

• Holistic ESG Governance:Authors SAIL’s flagship Sustainability Report while identifying, mitigating and steering Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) risk matrices across all operational frontiers.
• Market & Rating Excellence:Coordinates the Business Responsibility and Sustainability Report (BRSR) framework to elevate ESG disclosures, enhance investor confidence and boost international sustainability ratings.
• Global Regulatory Readiness:Spearheads the formulation of Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) compliance structures and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), reinforcing the global competitiveness and ecological credibility of SAIL’s steel products. Reviews corporate environment policy and sustainability policy periodically.

Technical Governance & Sovereign Engagement

• Permitting & Environmental Clearance Architecture:Strategically navigates and expedites complex statutory permitting processes, ensuring seamless lifecycle compliance for plant modernizations, greenfield expansions and mining operational consents.
• GHG Accounting & EMS Optimization:Championing operational decarbonization through the continuous benchmarking of ISO 14001 EMS protocols and ISO 14064 greenhouse gas inventory verification, embedding empirical carbon accounting across all production verticals.
• Multilateral Stakeholder Alignment:Spearheads high-level advocacy and policy alignment across sovereign ministries and premier industrial forums (WorldSteel, CII, FICCI, ISA), ensuring SAIL’s operational interests are seamlessly harmonized with global climate mandates.
• Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Technical Representation:Serves as the technical authority representing SAIL in national standard-setting bodies, curating technical feedback and material specifications for environmental management frameworks.
• Regulatory Impact Analysis & Policy Advisory:Conducts comprehensive impact analyses on emerging regulatory proposals, statutory frameworks, and ambient discharge notifications, channeling expert industrial consensus directly to regulatory bodies.

Strategic Integration & Institutional Empowerment

• Environmental due Diligence & Project Vetting:Integrates comprehensive ecological risk matrices, lifecycle assessment frameworks, and carbon-intensity evaluations into the capital investment appraisal process for all modernization and infrastructure schemes.
• Parliamentary & Inter-Ministerial Secretariat:Serves as the central clearinghouse for corporate environmental intelligence, delivering rapid-response data compilation and institutional briefs to satisfy legislative scrutiny and parliamentary oversight mandates.
• Institutional Distinction & Global Benchmarking:Directs the competitive positioning of SAIL’s manufacturing units in global and sovereign environmental excellence forums, leveraging third-party validation to reinforce brand equity and market leadership.
• Capacity Building & Ecological Competency Frameworks:Spearheads continuous professional development, specialized technical certifications, and strategic knowledge-transfer initiatives to optimize operational capabilities and foster systemic best-practice adoption enterprise-wide.

Anchoring the Vanguard of Ecological Transition

In synthesizing these multidisciplinary vectors, the Environment Management Division (EMD) operates not merely as an administrative center, but as the supreme catalyst of SAIL’s environmental paradigm shift. By harmonizing rigorous regulatory governance with cutting-edge circular economy frameworks and deep-tech decarbonisation roadmaps, EMD continuously orchestrates the integration of ecological stewardship into the core of heavy metallurgy.

• Through unyielding corporate leadership, systemic resource optimization, and forward-looking ESG alignment, the division transcends conventional industrial paradigms—solidifying SAIL’s legacy as an indefatigable titan of sovereign sustainability and the ultimate architect of India’s low-carbon, green-steel future.

SAIL’s Commitment to Eco-System Protection: A Decade of Green Progress

SAIL champions environmental sustainability through its robust Corporate Environment Policy and visionary leadership. With the EMD at its helm, the company goes beyond mere compliance—embedding eco-friendly practices across its plants, units, mines, and neighbouring communities. EMD drives strategic initiatives that not only meet but often surpass regulatory standards, reinforcing SAIL’s commitment to responsible growth and environmental stewardship.

Environmental Performance: A Decade of Transformation

SAIL’s focused environmental initiatives have led to remarkable improvements in 2025-26 compared to 2016-17:

Key Highlights

• Emission Control :26% reduction in PM emissions and 3% drop in CO₂ emissions reflect cleaner air initiatives.
• Water Efficiency:24% decrease in water consumption signals smarter resource use.
• Waste Utilization:BOF slag utilization surged by 168%, with total solid waste reuse up by 45%.
• Effluent Management :Effluent discharge and load reduced by over 18% and 37% respectively, improving water quality and ecosystem health.

Toward a Greener Tomorrow: SAIL’s Sustainability Journey

Over the years, SAIL has consistently championed environmental stewardship. Guided by its EMD, the company has become a trailblazer in sustainable steel production—showing that robust industrial growth can go hand in hand with responsible ecological practices.

Climate Change Mitigation

SAIL acknowledges the urgency of climate change, primarily driven by industrial emissions. As a major contributor, the steel sector is embracing decarbonisation through:

• CO₂ emission reduction
• Carbon capture technologies

India’s Climate Goals & SAIL’s Role

India ratified the Paris Agreement in 2016, pledging net-zero emissions by 2070. In alignment:

• SAIL targets CO₂ emission intensity 2.2 T/tcs by 2030
• Supports national climate commitments through strategic action

SAIL’s Climate Action Vision

SAIL’s Corporate Environment Policy promotes:

• Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
• Expansion of green cover
• Adoption of energy-efficient technologies
• Increased use of renewable energy

Path to Carbon Neutrality

Clean Technology Adoption

• Coke Oven Batteries with Coke Dry Cooling Plants
• Blast Furnace upgrades: TRT, CDI, WHR
• WHR systems in Sinter Plants
• Energy-efficient reheating furnaces
• VVVF drives, IE3 motors, and gas-fired boilers

Renewable Energy Expansion

• Solar systems in hospitals, guest houses, and facilities
• 25.86 MW solar energy commissioned
• Arrangement made for procuring approx. 13 MW bagasse-based power
• Sourcing of ~130 MW of green power from the grid

Floating Solar Power Plant at the Maroda-1 reservoir of BSP

LED Transition

• Installed around 1.4 million LED lights
• Continued upgrades to energy-efficient lighting systems

Decarbonisation Strategy

Collaborative Path to Carbon Neutrality

Decarbonisation Partnerships

• SMS Group & BSP: Coke Oven Gas Injection
• Primetals & RSP: Hydrogen based steel production, CCUS, digitalization
• RDCIS & BHP: BF-BOF decarbonisation pathways
• RDCIS & IOCL: Moisture-reducing fluid for coke
• GIZ–SCOPE: Feasibility study on scrap usage, tailings beneficiation, hydrogen integration
• LeadIT Initiative: Projects in Hydrogen DRI, CCUS, BF excellence, dry beneficiation, biomass

Alternative Fuel Pathway

• Biochar Trials: Bamboo biochar as a substitute for coke breeze in sinter making and Co-injection of biochar with pulverized coal in blast furnace.
• COG Use: In sinter plant and blast furnace.

CCUS Projects

• Partnership with M/s Entity 1: CO₂ capture and conversion into value added products
• Tripartite Agreement: ISP, IIT Bombay, GEECL exploring CCUS in CBM wells

Hydrogen Integration

• Pilot for hydrogen injection in Blast Furnace: SAIL & MoS jointly investing ₹50 crore for project under National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM)
• Hydrogen based DRI with IIT Kharagpur: Establishing pilot setups for research on hydrogen-enriched DRI production and optimisation. Investment of ₹9.82 crore, jointly by MoS and SAIL.
• Collaborated with DVC, JU, and HURL: Establishing a Centre of Excellence for Green Hydrogen Research. Funding support of ₹4.09 crore from MNRE under NGHM

Through a comprehensive strategy that integrates clean technologies, renewable energy, biomass, CCUS and green hydrogen, SAIL is reinforcing its leadership in sustainable steelmaking while underscoring its steadfast commitment to India’s climate ambitions.

Transparency & Compliance

Digital CO₂ Emission Monitoring

SAIL has introduced a digital CO₂ emission monitoring dashboard across its plants, marking a significant advancement in its sustainability efforts. This system enables tracking of greenhouse gas emissions, offering immediate visibility into environmental performance and strengthening transparency. By providing actionable insights, the dashboard helps plant managers identify emission hotspots, optimize operations, and implement corrective measures more efficiently. Beyond operational benefits, the initiative aligns closely with SAIL’s broader climate strategy, ensuring that emission reduction targets are continuously monitored and achieved in line with national and global sustainability goals.

Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) - A Strategic Edge for Sustainability

In today’s sustainability-focused market, EPDs offer manufacturers a competitive edge by providing transparent, third-party-verified data on a product’s environmental impact across its life cycle—aligned with ISO 14025 standards.

As governments and institutions increasingly mandate EPDs for climate action and green procurement, EMD has initiated the development of EPDs for steel products across its plants. This move reinforces SAIL’s commitment to sustainability, transparency, and global best practices in low-carbon manufacturing.

CBAM Compliance

In response to international buyer requirements, SAIL has developed CBAM compliance reports for its major export products, viz. HR Coils and PM Plates of Rourkela Steel Plant, and steel slabs, HR Coils and CR Coils of Bokaro Steel Plant. These reports transparently provide embedded CO₂ emission data, ensuring that exports meet regulatory expectations in carbon-sensitive markets.

Green Steel Certification

Under the Green Steel Taxonomy notified by the Ministry of Steel, the benchmark for certification is 2.2 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per tonne of finished steel. SAIL applied for Green Steel certification for its ASP and SSP unit under the Green Steel Taxonomy. The Certification is expected from the National Institute of Secondary Steel Technology (NISST). This milestone underscores SAIL’s commitment in producing green steel, reinforcing its leadership in sustainable steelmaking and alignment with India’s climate and decarbonization objectives.

Global Recognition

SAIL’s commitment to sustainability has been recognized internationally. The company has been declared a member of the Worldsteel Sustainability Charter 2025, joining 30 steel producers and associations worldwide as charter members. This membership encourages active engagement in sustainability programmes and continuous improvement. Additionally, after verification of CO₂ emission data for FY 2024–25, the Worldsteel Association (WSA) conferred the Climate Action Data Provider certificate on SAIL, reaffirming its role as a responsible contributor to global climate action.

Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR)

The BRSR, introduced by SEBI in 2021, provides a structured framework for India’s top 1,000 listed companies to disclose their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance. Built around the nine principles of the National Guidelines on Responsible Business Conduct (NGRBC), it covers key areas such as ethical governance, employee well-being, environmental stewardship, and customer value creation. The objective of BRSR is to enhance transparency, comparability, and accountability, enabling investors and stakeholders to better evaluate how companies embed sustainability into their core strategies.

SAIL has been publishing its BRSR as part of its Annual Report since its inception and has subsequently obtained reasonable assurance from a third-party auditor, reinforcing the credibility of its disclosures and demonstrating its commitment to responsible and sustainable business practices.

Corporate Sustainability Reporting

SAIL also prepare its corporate sustainability report in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Standards. This vital report serves as a reference for stakeholders and ESG rating agencies, highlighting SAIL’s sustainability journey and its integration of environmental responsibility into business practices.

Water Conservation at SAIL: A Sustainable Commitment

EMD drives policy, monitors performance, and ensures compliance—making water conservation a strategic priority across SAIL. Its efforts reflect a holistic approach to balancing industrial growth with environmental responsibility.

SAIL recognizes water as a vital resource and has embedded conservation into its operations across plants, units, and mines. With strategic leadership from the Environment Management Division (EMD), the company has implemented several high-impact initiatives to promote sustainable water use.

Key Initiatives

Effluent & Sewage Treatment: Effluent Treatment Plants (ETPs) and Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) treat and recycle industrial and domestic wastewater, meeting environmental standards.

Coke Dry Cooling Plants (CDCP): Replaces water-based coke quenching and Conserves water, prevents contamination, and generates power via heat recovery.

Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD): Salem Steel Plant and Chandrapur Ferro Alloy Plant operate on ZLD principles. SAIL plants already have facilities in place to recirculate approximately 176 million m³ of wastewater each year. All new projects are being envisaged with ZLD design.

ETP for Outfall#1A at BSL

30 MLD STP at RSP

Rainwater Harvesting (RWH): Site-specific rainwater harvesting systems are installed for recharge of groundwater. RWH are integrated with the “Catch the Rain” campaign and future project specifications.

Waste Management: A Commitment to Sustainability

As part of its Corporate Environmental Policy, SAIL is committed to minimizing solid waste generation and maximizing its reuse striving for 100% utilization through the principles of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover (4Rs). EMD plays a pivotal role in steering these efforts across all operations.

Industrial Waste Management Initiatives

Blast Furnace (BF) Slag: All BFs are equipped with slag granulation plants, enabling 100% reuse in cement production.

Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) Slag: Metallics are recovered and recycled into sinter-making or flux replacement. BOF slag is also supplied to external agencies for construction applications.

Other Process Wastes: By-products like flue dust, mill scale, lime/dolo fines, and refractory waste are reused internally or sold for further processing.

Waste-to-Wealth Innovations

R&D Collaborations: Joint studies with leading institutions to enhance BOF slag utilization.

BOF Slag Applications: Used for internal roads and rural infrastructure under PMGSY. Converted into paver blocks, green tiles, and explored for brick-making and runner sand substitution.

Agricultural Use of BOF Slag: In partnership with ICAR-IARI, SAIL supports the development of eco-friendly fertilizers using lime-rich BOF slag. 13 Steel Slag-Based Value-Added Products (SSBVAPs) have been developed—10 for general agriculture and 3 tailored for acidic soils.

Different crops grown using SSBAVPs at SAIL Plants

Hazardous & Biomedical Waste

Hazardous Waste: Includes used oil, sludge, and industrial residues—safely disposed via secured landfills or authorized agencies.

Biomedical Waste: Managed as per regulatory norms across SAIL’s hospitals and health centers.

Domestic Waste Management: Door-to-door collection & segregation and vat-based systems ensure organized waste handling. Solid Liquid Resource Management (SLRM) Centre at Bhilai Steel Plant processes domestic waste into manure and plastic by-products. Bio-Digesters: Installed at DSP, RSP, and BSL to convert canteen waste into compost for horticulture.

Plastic Waste: Segregated and sent to registered recyclers. Awareness & Training: Campaigns and workshops promote hygienic practices and discourage single-use plastics.

Greenery & Biodiversity at SAIL

EMDdrives structured plantation programs across plants, units, and mines. In 2025–26, 3.3 lakh saplings were planted, adding to a cumulative 22.7 million, enhancing green cover and supporting climate action.

Biodiversity Conservation

EMD facilitates structured greenery development across SAIL’s plants, units, and mines by guiding plantation programs, promoting native species, and ensuring ecological alignment with local soil and climate conditions. The VASUNDHARA Biodiversity Park at DSP spans 409 acres, offering ecological balance and a serene retreat for nearby communities.

Eco-Restoration of Mined Out Lands

SAIL has restored 450 acres of degraded land at Purnapani Mines with Delhi University, creating a thriving ecosystem. In partnership with IFP Ranchi, SAIL has embarked on new initiatives for the eco-restoration of Meghahatuburu Iron Ore Mines (MIOM), Kiriburu Iron Ore Mines (KIOM), and Gua Ores Mines (GOM). The project covers 10 hectares at KIOM, 8.5 hectares at MIOM, and 16 hectares at GOM in the Saranda Forest Division in the state of Jharkhand, and envisages an extensive rehabilitation plan. Its approach goes beyond basic rehabilitation, focusing on long-term ecological recovery through targeted, science-driven interventions. By improving soil integrity, encouraging large-scale tree cover, and creating conditions that allow native species to return and thrive, these initiatives help transform disturbed areas into self-sustaining ecosystems.

Plantation on Waste Dump at KIOM

EMS Implementation at SAIL

SAIL, with guidance from EMD, has been a pioneer in adopting the Environment Management System (EMS) aligned with ISO 14001 standards. Starting at Salem Steel Plant in the mid-1990s, EMS has since been implemented across all integrated plants, major units, and warehouses.

This system helps manage environmental impacts and ensures operations not only meet but often exceed regulatory norms—reinforcing SAIL’s commitment to sustainable industrial practices and environmental stewardship.

Green Certifications at SAIL

GreenPro Ecolabel by CII helps identify eco-friendly products and technologies in manufacturing and construction. Accredited by the Global Ecolabelling Network (GEN), it ensures global environmental standards.

DSP became the first PSU steel plant in India to earn GreenPro certification for its TMT Rebars and Structural Steel, showcasing its commitment to sustainable steelmaking. Thereafter, ISP has also earned the prestigious GreenPro Certification for its TMT Rebar and Structural Products.

This certification is a mark of excellence, validating that these products are environment-friendly across their entire life cycle—from raw material sourcing to manufacturing, usage, and final disposal.

GreenCo Rating,also developed by CII, is India’s first holistic framework that evaluates the environmental performance of companies and provides a structured roadmap for improvement. By fostering ecologically sustainable business growth and catalyzing the transition toward net-zero emissions, the system encourages manufacturing excellence while embedding environmental responsibility into core business practices. SAIL has reinforced its commitment to sustainability, positioning BSL as a frontrunner in adopting innovative rating mechanisms that drive measurable progress toward greener steelmaking and long-term climate goals.

Environmental Awards & Recognition

EMD plays a central role in driving SAIL’s environmental excellence. It coordinates sustainability initiatives, monitors performance, and compiles data to support award nominations. By aligning operational practices with national and global environmental standards, EMD ensures that SAIL’s plants and mines consistently earn accolades reinforcing the company’s leadership in responsible industrial practices.

Following plants, mines and units were recognized for outstanding environmental performance recently:

• GEEF Global Waste & Recycling Award 2026: EMD bagged the award for ‘Industrial Waste Recycling Excellence in Iron & Steel Category’, for Exemplary Leadership and Outstanding Achievements in Advancing Waste Recycling Excellence and Circular Economy Practices at SAIL.

• Golden Peacock Environment Management Award 2026:SAIL won this award in the Steel Sector category for outstanding achievement in environment management at its plants and mines.

• Greentech Environment Award 2025: EMD and BSP won in the Environment Protection category, underscoring proactive environmental management.

• SCOPE Eminence Award (2022–23): Conferred by the Hon’ble President of India in August 2025, in recognition of SAIL’s leadership in R&D, process innovation, renewable energy integration, and circular economy practices.

• Golden Peacock Eco-Innovation Award 2025: BSP was honoured for pioneering eco-friendly innovations, including paver blocks and tiles made entirely from steel slag.

• Kalinga Environment Excellence Award: Colliery Division of SAIL was recognized by IQEMS, Bhubaneswar for outstanding contributions to environmental protection and sustainable practices.