Publications

A critical review of literature on the nexus between central grid and off-grid solutions for expanding access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia

Research Paper
| February 17, 2021

This paper critically examines the literature on the grid-offgrid debate and discusses the role of and the relationship between different electricity access options through a synthesis and critical reflection. This paper finds that models using greater resolution and capturing low voltage distribution infrastructure appear to recommend decentralised electricity solutions, whereas central grid extension emerges as the preferred outcome of more aggregated analysis, concentrated population clusters and for higher demand scenarios.

Super Efficient AC Deployment: Opportunities through business models in India

Policy brief
| February 13, 2021

The policy brief aims to analyse the bulk procurement program for Super-Efficient Air Conditioners which includes key business strategies and technical criteria. The paper further analyses the existing framework of the model and elucidates key takeaways for impact enhancement. It explores various international models available in the cooling sector to recognize their applicability in the Indian context to promote low GWP refrigerant based energy-efficient air conditioners.

Will India attain its forestry NDC target of achieving 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and tree cover by 2030?

Policy brief
| February 11, 2021

India's forestry NDC target is ambitious and therefore requires a well framed-strategy and a holistic approach to be accomplished. This policy brief presents an analysis of the impending challenges and summarizes the possible recommendations and a road map for meeting the NDC goals by 2030.

Innovative financial mechanisms to achieve additional 2.5–3.0 billion tonne of CO2e through additional forest and tree cover in India by 2030

Policy brief
| February 11, 2021

India's forestry funds require a considerable increase in their allocation, along with other immediate reform in the forestry sector, to achieve the nation's forestry Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) target. This policy brief underlines the challenges in achieving the ambitious target of forestry NDCs while laying down recommendations and a roadmap focusing on the need for innovative financial mechanisms.

Scope and potential of coastal ecosystem towards mitigating climate change

Policy brief
| February 11, 2021

The key role of blue carbon in mitigating climate change through coastal ecosystem habitats remains unrecognized and unutilized. This policy brief aims to assess this carbon sequestration and mitigation potential of coastal ecosystems for India to achieve its forestry NDC target.

Designing the methodology to establish minimum support prices of trees grown outside forests

Policy brief
| February 11, 2021

Agroforestry systems in India have the potential of achieving two-thirds of the forestry sector's NDC targets. This policy brief aims at analysing the status, potential and needs of agroforestry in India and the benefits of providing MSP to farmers for the timber they produce.

Baseline and quantification of sequestration of 2.5–3 billion tonne of CO2e by 2030

Policy brief
| February 11, 2021

The present study focuses on analysing the gaps and challenges in attaining the desired NDC goal of creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonne of CO2e through additional forest and tree covers through forestry, and summarize the possible recommendations and a road map for achieving the same.

Estimation of the current emission and sequestration, as well as future potential of sequestration/emission reduction to achieve land degradation neutrality in India

Policy brief
| February 11, 2021

Understanding carbon sequestration potential of land use sectors is crucial for India to achieve its NDC target under forestry by 2030. This policy brief aims to do this by providing a detailed perspective on CO2 emission status of different land use sectors in India.

Detecting SARS-COV-2 in wastewater An Early Warning Signal for Covid-19

Policy brief
| February 10, 2021

The Policy Brief is a result of the research study titled ‘Monitoring of Community wastewater for early signaling the spread of COVID-19’, supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) jointly undertaken by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), SRM Institute of Science & Technology (SRMIST), & Mu Gamma Consultants Pvt Ltd (MGC).

Clean fuel for cooking: Solution to achieve better air quality

Policy brief
| February 5, 2021

The discussion paper 'Clean Fuel for Cooking: Solution to Achieve Better Air Quality' aims to analyse and estimate the financial support that may be required to encourage Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) consumers to switch to LPG for cooking their major meals, over and above the existing subsidy and other financial incentives, as well as to identify a