Better Cities, Better Growth: India’s Urban Opportunity

The green economy model for India is a system dynamics model that has been customized to the national context in the structure of the model and input data. It also takes into account the key priorities for the country, incorporating primary and allied sectors affecting climate change at the national level. 

Conventional approaches to solid waste management have often proven unaffordable and ineffective. This paper analyses the lessons from Ahmedabad, India. It finds that clear national leadership that supports municipal authorities to integrate unionised informal waste pickers into formal municipal waste management can deliver competitive recycling rates at lower costs, whilst also improving the income, health, job security and inclusion of marginalised groups, reducing urban poverty and enhancing climate resilience. 

This paper analyses lessons from India, where electricity consumption is set to triple by 2040. It finds that clear national leadership supporting municipal authorities to incorporate innovative business models that help low-income households to access renewable energy is critical. If new approaches used in New Delhi were adopted nationwide, they would deliver 8 gigawatts of additional solar capacity by 2022, reduce energy bills for 2.6 million households, create 100,000–150,000 jobs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 10 megatonnes a year—the equivalent of closing four coal-fired power stations. 

This paper analyses lessons from Kochi and Trivandrum, Kerala, India, where municipal government and community partnerships on house building projects have led to better quality new housing stock while reducing costs and environmental impacts. It finds that by placing participation at the heart of their processes, these cities have achieved 100 per cent occupancy rates at a lower cost, while also cutting carbon emissions and providing economic benefits. Nationwide, costs and occupancy levels of Kochi and Trivandrum could save Rs. 118 billion (US$1.71 billion) or build an additional 816,000 homes. 

This paper identifies different potential pathways to decarbonization of Indian Railways by 2030 and examines their cost-effectiveness and feasibility. 

The renewable energy sector in India will require $189 billion in additional investment to meet its goal of 175GW by 2022. Institutional investors have the potential to bridge this gap. This report finds that the potential for renewable energy investment in India is more than double the required amount, but the expected level falls short. Domestic and international investors have the greatest potential to address this but require a greater understanding of India’s renewable energy sector to better facilitate investment.

About US$90 trillion in infrastructure investment is needed globally by 2030 to achieve global growth expectations, particularly in developing countries. To achieve this, infrastructure investment needs to be both scaled up and climate objectives need to be integrated due to climate risks. The Global Commission on the Economy and Climate recommends that G20 and other countries adopt key principles ensuring the integration of climate risk and climate objectives in national infrastructure policies and plans. 

An estimated one third of all food produced in the world ends up as waste. Reducing food waste is good for the economy, good for food security and good for the climate. In this report, the Waste & Resources Action Programme (WRAP) estimates the value of global consumer food waste at more than US$400 billion per year. 

This paper Initiative argues that India’s efforts to achieve rapid, inclusive and sustainable development have been hampered in the past by pervasive inefficiencies that arise from market, policy and institutional failures and weaknesses. The paper finds that increased efficiency, investment and innovation can yield major development and environmental benefits: energy systems, agriculture and land use, and cities.