Teaching Note: Forging a zero-carbon future: Tata Steel Ltd.’s sustainability transformation in an emerging market

This case study examines Tata Steel Ltd.’s ambitious transformation toward a zero-carbon future in the context of an emerging market. It traces the company’s sustainability journey, focusing on the adoption of hydrogen-based steelmaking, carbon capture and storage (CCS), digital transformation, renewable energy integration and circular economy practices. At the center of the case is a dilemma faced in 2025 by chief sustainability officer, Dr Raghav Mehta: whether to accelerate commercialization of hydrogen-based direct reduced iron in India or to proceed cautiously with phased pilots. This decision involved balancing technological ambition, financial commitments, stakeholder expectations and policy uncertainties. The dilemma offers...