Towards decarbonised democracy - Pathways for an inclusive energy transition in India

Despite the principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities in international climate agreements, India has taken a pioneering role in transitioning to a clean-energy-driven economy: coal's share of electricity generation has fallen below 70%, with record additions of low-carbon energy in recent years. Yet challenges remain - from land disputes to uneven benefits across regions and social groups in an increasingly unequal and authoritarian governance setting.  

This project investigates the direction of India’s energy transition through a qualitative and data-driven approach, integrating key informant interviews, focus group discussions, official statistics, and policy document analysis. The aim is to assess how the energy transition can evolve to deliver Decarbonised Democracy - a condition where the shift to a low-carbon energy regime expands civic power, improves equity, and stimulates economic growth, particularly for the poor and marginalised populations. 

This project builds on several earlier collaborations within the project team funded by Formas and VR, most recently published in the Oxford University Press book ‘Everyday Justice in India's Coal Transition’.