Climate Change

In the post-Paris agreement era, accelerating climate action is the biggest hope to ensure a safe future for all. In India, our work focuses on climate modelling to develop a better understanding of climate variability at regional scales. We study the risks and vulnerabilities of key sectors such as water, health, agriculture and industry. Our work in climate science is inextricably linked to policy research and recommendations for the Indian government to shape its domestic policies, as well as contribute to its position in global negotiations. Through a number of initiatives, we are beginning to extend our knowledge and research in climate science and policy to other emerging economies.

climate

NEW IN CLIMATE

  • Financing

    Report

    Financing Low Carbon Transition in India's MSME Sector

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    urban-heat

    Theme

    HFCs – Enabling efficient refrigerant transitions

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  • climate change video

     

    Explainer

    A primer on climate change, its impacts, actions and assessments

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  • climate

    Policy Brief

    Mobile Air Conditioning (MAC): A technology landscape, challenges and opportunities for sustainable cooling

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  • Adaptation future

    Article

    Urban Flood Analysis and Early Warning Solution for Disaster Resilience

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Projects

Articles

WSDS2024: Launch of MTCoE’s Daylight Plugin Tool at the thematic session "Advancing Sustainable Building Practices: Role of Laboratories and State-of-the-art Infrastructure to Enhance Energy Efficiency & Thermal Comfort."

Ms Shiren Pandita

The session was conducted as a part of the World Sustainable Development Summit 2024, the only leading sustainable development summit in the Global South. Held on February 8th, 2024, at the India Habitat Centre, it focused on exploring the potential of smart technologies and data analytics in managing energy and optimizing building performance, emphasizing the significance of human-centric design for improving occupant comfort.

Heat Waves and Action Plans: How Does India Fare?

While preparedness, alerts and warnings, and other measures of heat action plans have vastly reduced the impact of heat waves, the duration and frequency of climate-induced heat waves are on the rise. Jency Samuel says that as heat waves impact people’s health and livelihood, and the nation’s economy adversely, there is a need to improve and better implement the heat action plans.

Urban Flood Analysis and Early Warning Solution for Disaster Resilience

Mr Prasoon Singh

Abstract

The objective of this work is to present the experimental findings of an urban flood early warning system developed by combining a mesoscale numerical weather prediction model (WRF) forecast with a distributed hydrologic modeling system. Hydrodynamic models have been used in the simulation of intricate and interrelated dynamic systems, such as urban watersheds and urban water infrastructure. The use of these models in assessing flood hazard, vulnerability, and risk is well-established.

Dr Vibha Dhawan meets heads of governments of Japan and Guyana

Director General brings focus on TERI’s multiple initiatives during visits to Japan, Guyana and the United States

TERI director general Dr Vibha Dhawan met heads of government of Japan and Guyana, and the Indian Ambassador to the United States of America (USA) in the month of October.

Brahmapuram Landfill Fire: Points towards the Need for Decentralized Waste Management

In this article, Sharada Balasubramanian highlights that a series of flames have been breaking out, year after year, at the Brahmapuram landfill in Kerala. Yet, it was not taken seriously. This year, the massive uncontrollable fire breakout urged the Kochi Corporation to take serious steps to resolve this issue as it impacted the health of people and the environment. Brahmapuram is the only landfill that is a bone of contention in Kerala, where solid waste management, otherwise is decentralized and systematic.

Mainstreaming Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Infrastructure For Long Lasting Impacts

Ms Manisha Jain

In this article, Manisha Jain and Dr Kriti Akansha highlight that it is necessary to support long-term thinking, transformation, flexibility and innovation while taking the associated climate risks into consideration to attain climate resilience. There is a need for a robust framework that ensures climate policies are integrated into all sectors and that planning, implementation, and evaluation are strictly followed.

Events

CEO Forum at WSDS 2025

March 5, 2025
to March 7, 2025

At the last edition of WSDS 2024, TERI CBS organized two convenings – A High level Convening of Industry Charter for Near Zero Emissions by 2050, and Chief Sustainability Officers (CSO) Forum. The high-level convening of industry charter showcased the anniversary report ‘Practices and Solutions: Accelerating Indian Industry Decarbonisation’.

World Sustainable Development Summit 2025

March 5, 2025
to March 7, 2025

Workshop on Solar Geoengineering Scenario Development

December 17, 2024
to December 18, 2024

Board of Directors of Tata Projects visit TERI Gwal Pahari Campus

November 27, 2024
to November 27, 2024

On November 27, 2024, TERI hosted the leadership team of Tata Projects, including its Board of Directors, CXOs, and MD and CEO, at its Gwal Pahari campus.

News

Visionary leaders Drive the Future at the iconic Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart

January 2, 2025 |
January 2, 2025
News 9

Dr. Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, stated that the only way for the country to expand is through innovation, and she advocates for increased investments in clean development and homegrown ideas.

Sustainability education in Ludhiana: How TSF-TERI Green School Workshop is empowering teachers

December 26, 2024 |
December 26, 2024
Construction Week

'The Green School,' an initiative that aims to combine the efforts of the Tata Steel Foundation (TSF) and The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) to increase environmental awareness among school pupils and increase their knowledge in this field. This initiative, which was initiated in April 2017, aims to foster a comprehensive understanding of environmental preservation, interdisciplinary learning, and critical thinking among students in Tata Steel's operational areas.

TERI-Led Workshop on Solar Radiation Management: Advancing Research, Governance, and Collaboration

December 25, 2024 |
December 25, 2024
Solar Quarter

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) in collaboration with the Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering (DSG), and the School of Global Policy and Strategy at the University of California and Scripps Institute of Oceanography organized a workshop focusing on SRM Geoengineering Scenarios. About 30 researchers from the fields of meteorology, environmental science, climate modelling, atmospheric chemistry, engineering, economics, and governance explored the status of research relating to Solar Radiation Management (SRM) technologies.

India's climate challenge and the rise of a new green economy

December 24, 2024
| Dr Vibha Dhawan
| Mint

India's current climate trajectory is characterized by increasingly frequent and severe weather anomalies, from the inundating floods in Mumbai to the relentless heatwaves across Rajasthan, writes Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI.

Climate change is now a real and pressing economic threat

December 24, 2024 |
December 24, 2024
Mint

Mr Manish Shrivastava, a Senior Fellow and Associate Director at The Energy and Resources Institute (Teri), said emerging nations require capital to upgrade factories to meet CBAM requirements. The COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan has disappointingly committed only $300 billion year in climate finance, despite the requirement exceeding $7 trillion by 2030.

Scientists deliberate on the research gaps in understanding impacts of Solar Geoengineering

December 20, 2024 |
December 20, 2024
Krishak Jagat

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in collaboration with the Alliance for Just Deliberation on Solar Geoengineering (DSG), the School of Global Policy and Strategy at the University of California, and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, convened a workshop centered on Solar Radiation Management (SRM) geoengineering scenarios. Approximately 30 researchers from meteorology, environmental science, climate modeling, atmospheric chemistry, engineering, economics, and governance examined the current state of research concerning Solar Radiation Management (SRM) systems.

Policy

Financing Just Transition: Synergies between NCQG and JTWP

November 18, 2024

The discussions and negotiations for the JTWP and the NCQG so far reflect the broader challenge of aligning global ambitions with practical actionable steps towards equitable climate action. Looking ahead, the JTWP has the potential to be a framework for deeper, more effective collaboration towards a collective narrative around implementing the Paris Agreement through just transition pathways at global as well as national scales, leading to tangible progress towards a sustainable and equitable future. This potential cannot be realized without a commensurate outcome of the NCQG process.

Road to Baku: The New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance

October 15, 2024

Climate finance plays a crucial role in climate efforts. This paper examines the evolution of the discussions on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), which will be a key determinant of the success of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29). Despite recent progress, current climate finance targets and mechanisms remain inadequate. This paper analyses the positions of various countries and coalitions. Developing countries stress the responsibility of developed countries, emphasizing equity in climate finance.

Internationalizing Sustainable Lifestyles for Climate Justice

September 27, 2024

Mainstream frameworks on sustainable consumption and production fail to holistically capture downstream segments of resource consumption and production systems, especially in relation to lifestyle choices. Building on previous work by TERI, this policy brief seeks to develop composite metrics on consumption for G20 countries and discusses ways to further internationalize sustainable lifestyles.

Services

Climate change risk assessment

We generate climate projections at global and regional scales and impacts, vulnerability and adaptation assessments in key sectors using established models and our in-house super-computing facility. We also conducts GHG inventorization and mitigation analysis. We provide national and international policy analysis and review, and contribute to key issues in negotiations encompassing adaptation, mitigation, technology, and finance.

Team

Distinguished Fellow, Earth Science and Climate Change
Distinguished Fellow, Earth Science and Climate Change
Distinguished Fellow, Green Shipping
Director, Climate Change and Air Quality
Associate Director, Earth Science and Climate Change
Area Convenor, Center for Climate Change Research
Associate Fellow and Area Convenor, Centre for Climate Modelling