Policy and regulatory aspects towards achieving a low carbon pathway in India

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Dadhich, Pradeep K | Mathur, Ritu

Note: [] The authors are employed with The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi. Dr Pradeep K Dadhich is a Senior Fellow and Dr Ritu Mathur is an Associate Director (Energy Environment Policy Division).

Note: [] The authors are employed with The Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi. Dr Pradeep K Dadhich is a Senior Fellow and Dr Ritu Mathur is an Associate Director (Energy Environment Policy Division).

Abstract: The growth of a developing economy is highly dependent on the growth of its energy consumption; as per the NATCOM report, this growth also constitutes about 60% of GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions (MoEF 2004). Therefore, it becomes imperative to examine the possibility of inter-fuel substitution in the end-use applications and ensure meeting the long-term energy requirements of the country in an optimal manner. The Government of India plans to achieve a GDP (gross domestic product) growth rate of 10% in the Eleventh Five-year Plan and maintain an average growth of around 8% in the next 15 years (Planning Commission 2002). Given the plans for rapid economic growth, it is evident that the country's requirements for energy and supporting infrastructure would also increase rapidly. In view of the rising energy prices and other geo-political considerations with regard to energy imports, it is important to identify and adopt policies and measures that enhance energy security and help in reducing final energy requirements of the economy; this also converges with the objective of achieving a low carbon pathway. An integrated assessment of all the technological options available to the economy is, therefore, crucial to examine possible energy pathways and their impacts in terms of costs, infrastructure requirements, and fuel mix patterns over time and the associated GHG emissions. This paper draws on the study ‘National Energy Map for India: Technology Vision 2030’, funded by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, who entrusted this study to TERI.

DOI: 10.3233/IJR-120080

Journal: International Journal of Regulation and Governance, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 155-178, 2008