Policy Challenges in Linking Energy with Climate Change: Indian Perspective

Speaker: Professor K Narayanan (Department of Humanities & Social Sciences, IIT Bombay, and PI on TIGR2ESS FP6) will be giving a talk on ‘Policy Challenges in Linking Energy with Climate Change: Indian Perspective’ 

Growth of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in India is reduced over the last decade by an estimated 111 million tons. The key factors in these reductions have been economic restructuring, local environmental protection, and technological change. These drivers have been mediated through economic reform, enforcement of existing clean air laws, and renewable energy incentives and development programs funded by the national government and foreign donors. Market reform driven by domestic policy and international dynamics over the past decade has improved India’s fuel quality, technology standards, infrastructure, and operating practices. Lower carbon emissions also have resulted from important technological advancements in coal washing. India has instituted a sizable renewable energy program over the past 20 years, which is implemented by the Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources, since 1992.

It is estimated that India could reduce projected emissions over the next 30 years by nearly one-quarter for less than $25 per ton of carbon equivalent, with a substantial portion available at a very low cost. Major opportunities include demand supply-side efficiency measures, fuel switching from coal to gas, afforestation, and power transmission improvements. India could in the midterm help finance these mitigation measures by selling emission reduction credits, either through the Clean Development Mechanism established under the Kyoto Protocol or in a futures market based on expectations. Given current scientific knowledge, deep cuts in emissions will be necessary to avoid dangerous climate change impacts. These must be achieved with the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities.