Policy Brief

Pathways for the Indian Steel Sector: Realizing low carbon industrial clusters in eastern India through a place-based approach

17 Apr 2025

| Mr Prosanto Pal

| Alexandra Mallett

There is an increasing realization that effective low carbon growth of our societies requires urgent, broad-scale changes at a systemic level in how we manufacture and consume products. One such area of focus is the production of iron and steel, which among heavy industries is the largest source of CO2 emissions and the second largest energy user, responsible for around 7% of global emissions from the energy system. Iron and steel production is heavily dependent on fossil fuels due to the high heat requirements needed in these processes. To reduce carbon emissions from production processes effectively, nothing short of industrial transformation is required.

Policy Recommendations from WSDS 2025 Thematic Track on Financing critical Mineral Acquisitions – De -Risking Investments & Strengthening Financing Ecosystems

14 Apr 2025

Policy Recommendations from WSDS Thematic Track on Critical MineralsSet up Reprocessing Parks and the Need for Purchasing End-of-Life Waste

Decarbonization Roadmap for the Indian Cement Sector Net-Zero CO2 by 2070

26 Mar 2025

The cement industry is one of the core industries in India and holds significant importance in the country’s economy. India is the second largest cement producer in the world, accounting for 8% of total installed capacity. The per capita consumption of cement in India is 257 kg, far less than the global average of 540 kg. The sector generates about 20,000 downstream jobs for every million tonne of cement produced.

Financing Just Transition: Synergies between NCQG and JTWP

18 Nov 2024

| Dr Manish Kumar Shrivastava

| Dorothy Ashmita Biswas

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. The NCQG must be aligned to the needs of the JTWP outcomes.

Biodiversity and Land Restoration in India: A Narrative of India's Sustainability Efforts Vis-à-vis the World

12 Nov 2024

| Mr R R Rashmi

| Dr Manish Anand

Emissions and Consumption: An Approach to Climate Justice

12 Nov 2024

| Mr R R Rashmi

| Dr Shailly Kedia

| Ms Palak Khanna

| Madhuparna Maiti

| Ishita Srivastava

A Transformative Global Goal on Adaptation: Scope, Science and Policy

12 Nov 2024

| Ms Suruchi Bhadwal

| Dr Manish Kumar Shrivastava

| Ronnie Abolafia-Rosenzweig

| Christine A. Shields

| Mari R. Tye

Green Hydrogen - Path to Decarbonization

07 Nov 2024

| Mr Ajay Shankar

| Meenu Saini

| Chitranjali Tiwari

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

15 Oct 2024

| Dr Shailly Kedia

| Ms Palak Khanna

| Ishita Srivastava

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.

Synergies between Climate Action and SDGs: Implications for Multilateralism

03 Oct 2024

| Dr Shailly Kedia

| Ms Palak Khanna

| Shivangi Raj

| Nobue Amanuma

| Himangana Gupta

The knowledge document examines the critical synergies between climate action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting their implications for multilateralism. Despite the adoption of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, global progress remains insufficient, with only 13.6% of SDG targets on track. The interconnected nature of climate and SDG actions is evident, as aligning these efforts could significantly enhance global economic output and resilience.