Decarbonisation

The work of decarbonisation is a multi-layered one. It involves engaging with and implementing new technologies, identifying multiple systems transformation pathways and their drivers, understanding their possible fallouts, and building the decarbonisation framework/s within defined timelines.

Technological advancements have so far been utilised to mitigate the effects of climate change but there are innovations that can also help build adaptation capacities and resilience. No one technology is a silver bullet and systems change requires pushing multiple levers in interlinked yet varied contexts.

The centre would adopt a trans-disciplinary approach to undertake such evaluations in a speedy, yet robust, manner bearing in mind the specific contexts within which these frameworks need to be deployed.

Evidence based Policy Support

India, and the world at large, has declared ambitious goals for transforming energy and related systems. India has been actively shaping policy and implementation measures to address the challenges of energy security, energy affordability, and environmental sustainability. Some of these steps predate the Paris Climate Agreement. But given the large nature of the transition one is seeking and the constantly evolving landscape of the country’s development needs, one has to be vigilant about the challenges that may emerge. The response has to come in form of research that can inform policy and markets alike.

One also has to keep in mind the unintended consequences of certain implementation actions. They may need to be studied using spatial, temporal and equity-related lenses. Such a study can help establish reparatory and capacity building measures that need to be instituted through revised or new policies.

To do this one will need to inform theoretical knowledge with lived experiences and bring into one’s fold practice-based reality-checks to better shape policies and strategies to achieve transformative changes.

Behaviour Nudging for Energy Transition

It is well recognized that both innovative or indeed disruptive technologies as well as well-intended policies by themselves, may not sufficiently bring about desired transformations. Complex social networks of behaviours, opinions, knowledge and social norms shape the choices that individuals and communities make. All of them ultimately add up to possibly a wide, deep and long-lasting transformation or series of transformations. Deploying a range of analytical tools, including the use of scientific surveys and data science applications, the centre aims to strengthen the leveraging of this key driver of transformative change.

Financing Energy Transitions

Climate finance, and the derivate energy transition finance, has been the focus of intense global debate for decades now. Additionally, we also need to focus on the effectiveness of use of such finance, the opportunities it could create and the inequities it could exacerbate. From deciphering the design of finance-related policies and related programmes to evaluating the actual flow of finance and implementation outcomes, the Centre hopes to place a spotlight on the SDG outcomes of strategies to finance energy transitions.