Sustainable development and low carbon growth strategy for India

For India, sustainable strategy means one that is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable. This calls for rapid economic growth to deal with poverty and human development. However, the relatively meagre energy resources of the country pose a huge challenge. At the same time concern for climate change has raised the bar on the use of the one energy resource that India has in some abundance, namely coal. India's strategy for sustainable development has to explore all options of reducing energy needs, enhancing efficiency of use of conventional energy resources and develop new and renewable sources. The paper identifies various technical options, their potential roles and alternative policy measures to realize them in a cost effective manner. Even for the same objectives different policy instruments are available and how one chooses a particular instrument is often critical for the success. Self-implementing incentive compatible policy that does not create vested interests that would get entrenched should be preferred.

► Energy efficiency is critical for sustainable development.
► India can reduce its emission intensity by 25 % by 2020 as proposed by India at Copenhagen.
► With a more aggressive effort even 35% reduction is attainable even with 8% or 9% growth.
► Energy efficient appliances, vehicles, buildings and industrial processes are needed.
► Policies that incentivize adoption of these pose critical challenges.