This case study, developed jointly by the Integrated Research and Action for Development (IRADe), an Indian research institute, and the Asia LEDS Partnership, shows how one unique tool, the IRADe activity analysis model, has been used to assist with planning for low-carbon, climate-resilient growth in India.
It is estimated that India will require major changes to its energy mix to lower carbon intensity per unit of GDP. The Planning Commission of the Government of India said in its Final Report of the Expert Group on Low Carbon Strategies for Inclusive Growth that a low carbon growth strategy is “essential” for the country, and the Government of India has developed a series of climate-friendly development plans and polices. Several modeling tools have been developed to assist governments, researchers, and other stakeholders with this task. These include the 2050 Calculator, Energy Forecasting Framework and Emissions Consensus Tool (EFFECT), Long-range Energy Planning Alternatives (LEAP) tool, and Models for Energy Supply Strategy Alternatives and their General Environmental Impact (MESSAGE), among others. Some have been specifically developed for countries in Asia, such as the Asia-Pacific Integrated Model (AIM).