Core sector needs $300-billion investment to cut emission intensity New Delhi: Indian industry can meet the 2020 emission intensity reduction target but finds it difficult and costly, says a new report. The government has voluntarily committed to cut emission intensity of the GDP by 20-25% by 2020 on a baseline of 2005. Under its business as usual (BAU) scenario, industry is likely to cut emissions by 20% by 2030, thereby avoiding emission of 700 million tonne of CO2 annually. In a low-carbon scenario, it can cut emissions by another 10%, but at high cost, says Challenge of the New Balance by the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), a Delhi-based NGO. For example, the power, steel and cement sectors are estimated to require an investment of $300 billion under a low-carbon scenario. While BAU would be pursued by the industry to improve energy efficiency in view of rising energy costs, a low-carbon approach could result from any new emission reduction commitments made by the government. The report based on the study of six sectors