ICRIER, Global Commission launch India climate study project

NEW DELHI: Think-tank ICRIER, in association with the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, today launched its New Climate Economy research project in India.

"The project is a new international initiative to analyse and communicate the economic benefits and costs of acting on climate change," the Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), which will lead the initiative in India, said in a release.

The focus is on India's economic pathways and features a strong emphasis on how better urbanisation can contribute to sustainable growth and reduced climate risk, it said.

The project will look at how India can respond to increased risks from climate change and food and water shortages and examine the potential of new agricultural techniques.

"It explores the sustainability of India's growth model from a climate perspective and seeks to offer real policy choices with a view to inform the new reform agenda.

"The approach is to identify and leverage win-win opportunities for India in key sectors such as in urbanisation, agriculture and energy demand," ICRIER Director and Chief Executive Rajat Kathuria said in statement.

The research project is part of a global effort with a focus on countries including Brazil, China, Ethiopia and the US. The Global Commission will highlight examples of best practices that can be shared between countries.

The Global Commission is chaired by former President of Mexico Felipe Calderón and comprises leaders from government, finance and business from 16 countries, including S Gopalakrishnan, Executive Vice Chairman of Infosys.

"Research in India focuses on how to increase growth and create jobs while also reducing impacts on the environment. It will highlight the many opportunities for India, including building new resource-efficient, less congested cities and addressing the health impacts of air pollution," said Ian De Cruz, Research Director for the New Climate Economy project.

He said the way India chooses to grow and the energy choices it makes will have a profound impact for its own people and the world.

The project will publish a final report drawing on insights from multiple countries, as well as studies of different global drivers of economic growth, in September 2014, ahead of the United Nations Climate Summit.

The Global Commission will take its findings and recommendations directly to heads of government, finance and economic ministers, business leaders and investors throughout the world.