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This case study document describes the Land Accelerator South Asia program, a World Resources Institute (WRI) initiative launched in 2020 to support entrepreneurs developing sustainable business models for restoring degraded forests and farmlands. The document details the program's growth from a 2020 cohort of 15 businesses to a 2021 cohort of 58, and provides detailed profiles of 11 specific restoration startups operating across India and Sri Lanka.

Karnataka holds 22% of India's total installed electricity capacity and the highest solar capacity in the country (7.3GW as of 2019). However, the document asserts that capacity growth alone is insufficient; market reforms are needed to increase supply and demand flexibility to ensure a low-carbon system is more cost-effective than the current energy mix.

This research paper, produced by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), examines the financial instability of India's electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs) during the COVID-19 pandemic. It analyzes how the pandemic exacerbated pre-existing structural issues—such as poor billing, high procurement costs, and inadequate tariff structures—and evaluates the effectiveness of central government stimulus packages and regulatory reforms intended to stabilize the sector and support a sustainable energy transition.

This executive summary from Climate Policy Initiative (CPI) outlines a roadmap for increasing electricity system flexibility in India to support the deployment of renewable energy and reduce overall system costs. The report argues that flexibility needs are growing faster than energy demand and that a balanced portfolio of demand-side flexibility, powerplant upgrades, and energy storage can reduce system costs by 5% to 8% and carbon emissions by 8% to 12% by 2030.

This fact sheet from the Climate Bonds Initiative details a USD 500 million green bond issued by Adani Green Energy UP Limited on June 10, 2019, specifically for the refinancing of solar projects in India.

This research paper examines the implementation of the Direct Benefit Transfer for liquefied petroleum gas (DBTL) in the Mysore district of Karnataka, India, based on interviews conducted in October 2013.

This report applies the GSI Method to estimate irrigation subsidies in four southern Indian states, highlighting significant annual costs, the prevalence of cost overruns in incomplete projects, and the critical lack of organized government data on water costs and revenues.

This case study examines the impact of cotton yarn price volatility on India's handloom weavers and evaluates various government and micro-level interventions designed to stabilize the sector. It highlights the vulnerability of decentralized weavers within a value chain dominated by organized spinning mills and traders, and recommends an integrated approach combining technological innovation, institutional reform, and improved market intelligence.

This policy brief describes the bilateral partnership between the UK and India focused on expanding renewable energy (RE) markets. It details UK-supported initiatives in legislative capacity building, off-grid ventures, offshore wind energy, and solar power to help India reach its 2022 target of 175GW of renewable energy.

This document outlines the methodology used by IEEFA and Ember to score the electricity transition of 16 Indian states. The analysis utilizes 17 parameters across four dimensions: Decarbonisation, Performance of the Power System, Readiness of the Power Ecosystem, and Policies and Political Commitments.

This briefing, based on a June 2020 virtual roundtable by CEEW and IISD, analyzes the impacts of COVID-19 on India's electricity sector. It details the financial distress of distribution companies (DISCOMs), the operational challenges faced by thermal and renewable energy producers, and the government's proposed recovery measures, including a stimulus package and loan terms from PFC-REC.

This report chapter argues that climate change can be mitigated profitably through a 'resource productivity revolution.' It details the science of the greenhouse effect and asserts that energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainable land-use practices are more cost-effective than continuing fossil fuel reliance or investing in nuclear power. Using examples from the U.S., Sweden, and India, it demonstrates that reducing carbon emissions can lower costs and improve living standards.

This working paper by the World Resources Institute examines the initial impact of the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission's (KERC) August 2014 order (S/03/01), which exempted solar power generators achieving Commercial Operation Date before 31 March 2018 from wheeling, banking, and cross subsidy charges for ten years. While the order is welcomed by market participants, the paper finds that tangible on-ground impacts in terms of commissioned megawatts or wheeled energy units will likely only be visible from the fourth quarter of Financial Year 2016 onwards due to the time required for project planning, land acquisition, and power evacuation.

This research paper analyzes three grid-connected agricultural solar photovoltaic schemes in Gujarat, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh to provide implementation recommendations for Tamil Nadu's adoption of Component C of the PM KUSUM scheme.

This research paper examines the challenges commercial and industrial (C&I) consumers face when procuring renewable energy (RE) and evaluates the acceptability of Green Tariffs (GTs) in India. Based on data from 101 corporate and 185 SME consumers across five states, the study finds a strong preference for on-site solutions and significant barriers to GT adoption, including low awareness and a lack of willingness to pay premiums.

This research paper proposes a roadmap for scaling Trees Outside Forests (ToF) in India, noting that 80 million hectares could sequester 3.4 Gt CO2e by 2040. By analyzing policy incentives in Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, and Telangana, the paper recommends landscape-level restoration plans, support for traditional ToF research, and targeted interventions for women and marginalized groups.

This working paper examines the adoption of rooftop solar PV systems in Bengaluru, India, focusing on the net-metering program implemented by the utility BESCOM to increase energy supply and meet state targets.

This working paper describes the CollabSolar project, a 2014 pilot initiative by WRI India and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) to aggregate rooftop solar demand among six corporate buyers in Bengaluru. The project aimed to reduce transaction costs and achieve economies of scale to make rooftop solar more attractive to developers and financiers.

A study of over 2,000 households in Bangalore, India, found that behaviorally designed household energy reports (HERs) featuring social norm comparisons and savings recommendations led to a 7 percent decrease in average monthly energy consumption over 12 months in 2018.

This research paper examines the potential for Indian electricity distribution companies (discoms) to implement green tariffs to attract and retain Commercial and Industrial (C&I) consumers who are increasingly seeking renewable energy (RE) procurement options.