India notifies Green Ammonia and Green Methanol emission standards

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy notified Green Ammonia and Green Methanol Standards on February 27, 2026, under the National Green Hydrogen Mission, setting emission thresholds of 0.38 and 0.44 kg CO₂-equivalent per kg respectively. The standards give Indian producers a clear compliance pathway for certification and international trade of green hydrogen derivatives.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) notified Green Ammonia and Green Methanol Standards on February 27, 2026, strengthening the regulatory framework under the National Green Hydrogen Mission. Green Ammonia must maintain total non-biogenic emissions below 0.38 kg CO₂ equivalent per kg of ammonia over a 12-month average, while Green Methanol must stay below 0.44 kg CO₂ equivalent per kg of methanol. These limits cover emissions across green hydrogen production, synthesis, purification, compression and on-site storage, defining eligibility conditions for fuels to be classified as "green."

The standards affect producers of green hydrogen derivatives seeking to certify and trade low-carbon fuels. For Green Methanol, permitted carbon-dioxide sources include biogenic carbon, direct air capture (DAC) and emissions from existing industrial facilities, with the eligible-sources list subject to future prospective revision and grandfathering for existing projects. Renewable electricity used in production may include power stored in energy storage systems or banked with the grid under applicable regulations. Procurement processes issued before the notification date may continue under existing terms, though entities may voluntarily align contracts with the new standards.

Producers should prepare to demonstrate compliance against the 0.38 and 0.44 kg CO₂-equivalent thresholds and monitor MNRE's forthcoming detailed methodology for measurement, reporting, monitoring, on-site verification and certification, which will enable transparent compliance tracking and market credibility. Procuring entities with pre-notification tenders may continue under original terms but should consider voluntarily aligning contracts where feasible. For businesses, the rules provide a clear compliance pathway and signal that large-scale investment in green hydrogen derivatives remains central to India's decarbonisation and energy-security strategy and export ambitions.

Key figure — Emission thresholds: Green Ammonia below 0.38 and Green Methanol below 0.44 kg CO₂-equivalent per kg