Indian Government sets emissions threshold for renewable ammonia certification
By on March 04, 2026
Click to learn more about the new green ammonia standard for India.
The Indian Government, through the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has set a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission threshold for “green” ammonia and “green” methanol, aligning with the National Green Hydrogen Mission approved by the Government of India. “Green” ammonia will have a GHG emission threshold at 0.38 tons of CO2 equivalents per ton ammonia (tCO2e/tNH3). This is on a Well-to-Gate basis (till on-site ammonia storage), with temporal allocation on a rolling 12 month period. MNRE will issue methodologies for measurement, reporting, monitoring, on-site verification, and certification. Existing projects such as the SECI auctions will continue under their original terms, but new projects will be required to meet this threshold.
Other emission thresholds for ammonia: Japan, Korea, and the EU
There are numerous legislated hydrogen standards with thresholds around the globe, but the number of ammonia standards with an emissions threshold is limited.
In Japan, METI (the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) has set the threshold for “low-carbon ammonia” at 0.87 tCO2e/tNH3. This threshold is on a Well-to-Gate basis and is technology agnostic. Government JOGMEC (the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security) has determined the CI Guidelines for calculating and allocating GHG emissions. The first projects have received CfD certification and funding, based on this scheme.
Click to enlarge. GHG accounting rules for various technology pathways for hydrogen production. Source: Korea Energy Economics Institute.
In South Korea, KEEI (the Korea Energy Economics Institute) has set up a tiered system for hydrogen and derivatives. Various technology pathways are applicable in the Korean scheme, including water electrolysis with renewables or nuclear power, gas reforming with at least 90% CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage), and bio-waste gasification. Tier 1 is up to 0.10 kilograms of CO2 equivalents per kilogram hydrogen (kgCO2e/kgH2), Tier 2 in the range 0.11-1.00 kgCO2e/kgH2, Tier 3 in the range 1.01-2.00 kgCO2e/kgH2, and Tier 4 in the range 2.01-4.00 kgCO2e/kgH2. The emission thresholds can be calculated for ammonia via a conversion factor of 6.45. The tiered system is used for scoring hydrogen projects in South Korea.
The EU has set rules for renewable hydrogen production, to be compliant with RFNBO (Renewable Fuel of Non-Biological Origin) requirements. These include monthly matching till 2030, and hourly matching thereafter, as well as additionality and temporal correlation within a bidding zone. The emission threshold for RFNBO hydrogen and derivatives such as RFNBO ammonia is set below 28.2 grams of CO2 equivalents per megajoule or 0.526 tCO2e/tNH3, which is on a Well-to-Delivery Gate.
Independent organization The Green Hydrogen Organization (GH2) has developed the Hydrogen Standard, which also includes “green” ammonia production. GH2 has set the threshold for “green ammonia” at 0.3 tCO2e/tNH3.