Policy Matters – December 2024

As India grapples with critical challenges such as climate change mitigation, renewable energy adoption and uptake of energy-efficient technologies, and decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors, CSTEP continues to deliver impactful, research-driven solutions that empower policymaking. Here’s a brief overview of our work in 2024.

Harnessing Solar, Empowering Homes

India’s rooftop solar (RTS) segment offers a sustainable, decentralised solution to meet energy demands and climate goals. To tap into the immense RTS potential in urban and rural areas, CSTEP created tailored implementation strategies and roadmaps to help distribution companies (DISCOMs) meet their RTS targets. Using drone-based aerial photogrammetry, the Rooftop Solar Explorer (RTSE) tool informs policy decisions in 25 states and 120 cities, providing actionable data on solar potential, system design, and economic feasibility. The RTSE portal for Chhattisgarh was launched by the Honourable Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, on 23 October 2024.

Fuelling Progress with Renewables

The Kerala Energy Transition Roadmap outlines steps to diversify the state’s energy mix, fulfil renewable purchase obligations, and establish a self-sustaining energy system. CSTEP is also developing renewable energy action plans for Punjab and West Bengal to support India’s goal of 500 GW capacity by FY30.

Decarbonising for the Future

CSTEP worked on a report examining the role of hydrogen in decarbonising the steel and cement sectors. Read the report titled Advanced Process Simulation Modelling for Hydrogen Application in Steel and Cement to know more about how blending hydrogen with alternative fuels can reduce coal dependency.

A study on the Scope for Deep Decarbonisation in the MSME Manufacturing Sector estimates the potential for decarbonisation in MSMEs to reduce their dependency on fossil fuels and promote sustainable alternatives by mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It analyses the techno-economic feasibility of decarbonisation technologies across seven energy- and emission-intensive MSME manufacturing clusters in India.

Electrifying Transport, One City at a Time

To assess Bengaluru's EV adoption trends, the Bengaluru 2030: EV Charging Demand and Infrastructure report surveyed consumer perceptions and charging patterns, evaluating the projected demand for EV charging infrastructure in 2030.

Turning the Tide on Climate

With rising sea levels posing a global threat, major coastal cities in India face significant risks. CSTEP released the report Sea Level Rise Scenarios and Inundation Maps for Selected Indian Cities, offering critical insights into historical and projected sea level rise scenarios.

Additionally, CSTEP’s first-ever compendium, Nature-based Solutions for Climate Adaptation in Coastal Urban Areas, underscores the potential of nature-based solutions to address climate change and urban challenges while preserving coastal ecosystems.

Reaching Climate Milestones

As India transitions to net-zero emissions, No Silver Bullet II, the second report in the series, uses system dynamics and long-term modelling to assess sectoral trade-offs and resource competition. The findings highlight the importance of energy efficiency, rooftop photovoltaics, and sustainable designs in achieving India’s sustainability goals with minimum trade-offs.

India faces the challenge of balancing its development goals and reducing GHG emissions, particularly in the transport and building sectors, which significantly contribute to energy demand and emissions. The report Decarbonising India’s Transport Sector: Navigating Trade-Offs of Biofuel Use and Electrification delves into strategies like biofuel adoption and electrification using SAFARI and SAM-based models, while analysing trade-offs involving natural resources and macroeconomic impacts.

For the building sector, the report Pathways to Steer India’s Buildings Sector Towards a Net-Zero Future explores decarbonisation pathways, focusing on the complexities and opportunities for achieving a sustainable future.

Clearing the Air Together

From 26 to 30 August 2024, CSTEP hosted the sixth edition of the India Clean Air Summit (ICAS). Organised in collaboration with the Clean Air Monitoring and Solutions Network (CAMS-Net), this year’s theme was ‘The Participatory Future of Air Quality Management’. The summit highlighted various perspectives from scientists, academics, politicians, and producers of air sensors from around the world on a range of topics related to managing air pollution.

At the event, CSTEP released its policy brief titled Stubble Management: Harnessing Ex-Situ Options and Market Mechanisms, conceptualising a regulatory framework to enhance the supply of stubble, establish adequate infrastructure for a robust supply chain network, and stimulate demand.

A platform for visualising the results of the CSTEP’s Emission Inventory for 76 cities was also launched at ICAS. Visit the visualisation portal to learn more: https://ei.cstep.in/

Climate Creativity for Impact

This year, CSTEP’s Climate Fellowship ‘eARTh’ took its first lap, marking the role of climate art in influencing a larger conversation on climate sensitivity and citizen engagement. The second edition of the eARTh event was held on 20 September 2024, featuring exhibitions by the eARTh Climate Fellows, the launch of Arth (a coffee table book on climate artists), interviews of climate change survivors, and performances by the Vasu Dixit Collective and Slam Out Loud.