Low Carbon Society Research: Activities in India in FY 2013-14
Summary of Presentation made at:‘The 19th AIM International Workshop, NIES, Tsukuba, Japan: December 13-14, 2013
P.R. Shukla, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad, INDIA
This presentation is about ‘Low Carbon Research Activities’ by the Indian team from IIMA in the fiscalyear (FY) 2013-14. The presentation focuses on: i) Low Carbon Modeling in India, ii) Dissemination ofResearch and iii) the Way Forward in FY 2014-15. The low carbon research activities in India wereclosely aligned with the missions proposed in India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change. Indian
team used a soft-linked integrated assessment modeling system using a suite of models including various
AIM models (AIM/CGE, AIM/EXSS and AIM/End-use), PNNL’s GCAM model and MARKAL model.
Whereas the low carbon policy assessment includes entire Indian economy, the focus of the policy
assessment includes national transport sector and urban applications (in three cities).
A new scenario framework was proposed (Figure 1) which links to India’s mission on ‘Sustainable
Habitat’. The assessment done for a time horizon till 2050 delineates the least cost measures and relatedchanges in energy and technology mix for low carbon transport in India (Figure 2). The assessment showsthat sustainable LC measures can reduce transport emissions in India in 2050 to a third compared to BAU.
The city level modeling (Figure 4, Udaipur City), following the same scenario storylines, show that theLCS can deliver significant co-benefits in terms of reduction of local air pollutant loads.
Figure 1: Scenarios Framework

Figure 2: Transport Energy Mix BAU vs. SLC Scenario

Figure 3: Wedges of Low Carbon Transition (Transport)

Figure 4: Local Air Pollution Co-benefits of LC Scenario

LC transport sector studies are initiated in three cities in India. In India, a city seeking central government
finance for transport projects is required to submit a CMP (Comprehensive Mobility Plan). The studies inthree cities are aimed to develop a toolkit which may include methodology, modeling and database for the1

CMP preparation. The CMP toolkit will include the methodology for scenario development, including the‘Low Carbon Scenario’ which reflect the ambition of India’s ‘Mission on Sustainable Habitat’. Figure 5
shows a modeling framework for developing city level comprehensive mobility plan. The CMPs shalldeliver the roadmap for low carbon transport and an action plan that include the projects for achieving thelow carbon transport roadmap. The city level project assessment shall include the NAMAs (NationallyAppropriate Mitigation Actions) framework as proposed under the UNFCCC. This integrated framework
integrates the scientific modeling assessment, framing of policies, carbon finance and project
implementation.
Figure 5: CMP Modeling Framework

Figure 6: NAMAs Framework

AIM India team participated in several important events for dissemination of the low carbon development
research. Some major events included LCS-RNet, LoCAR-Net and ISAP meetings at Yokohama, several
side-vents at COP19 and participation in the scientific meetings such as organized by Energy Modeling
Forum (EMF) and Integrated Assessment Modeling community.
The presentation charted out the focal areas of Low Carbon Society research work in India in the coming
financial year (FY 2014-15). The key focal areas to be included shall be:
1. Low Carbon Scenario and Roadmap for India
2. State-level Low Carbon Scenarios in Indiaa) GHGs (including Short-lived GHGs)b) State-level Low Carbon Roadmap
3. Energy Supply Technology Co-benefits and Risk Assessments (e.g. Renewable, Nuclear, Energy
Efficiency, CCS)
4. Energy Demand Technology Co-benefits and Risk Assessmentsa) Industry Sectors - Energy Intensive Industries (Steel, Cement, Non-ferrous Metals)b) Agriculture Sectorc) Consumption Sectors (Building, Transport)
The India team plans to work closely with AIM, Japan team for developing tools and applications for
India in the areas of:
1. Integrated / Down-scaled (Cities/Sector) Model Development
2. Policy Application and Finance - Cities and Key sectors (NAMAs)
3. Modeling Guidebook and Database
4. Capacity Building and Dissemination2