Policy Brief
Shifting Gears Towards Cleaner Air: Modernizing Urban Fleets for a Greener Future in India’s Million-Plus Cities
23 Apr 2025
In response to extreme levels of fine particulate air pollution in India and the increasing recognition of its adverse health impacts, the Indian government launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) in January 2019 (Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, 2019). The NCAP aims to improve air quality in 131 cities, including non-attainment cities and Million Plus Cities across 24 states through a multi-stakeholder engagement approach. All 131 cities have developed city Action Plans (CAPs) and are being implemented by Urban Local Bodies.
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.