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The paper introduces the Climate Risk Assessment Framework (CRAF), a structured approach to quantify physical climate risks for India's power infrastructure. It addresses gaps in existing literature by moving from qualitative risk ratings to energy-denominated impact estimates, specifically Expected Annual Loss (EAL) and Energy Not Served (ENS). The methodology distinguishes between chronic stressors (causing performance derating) and acute events (causing sudden failure), providing a pathway for cost-benefit analysis of resilience investments to avoid stranded assets and unplanned retrofitting costs.

Since 2013, GHE has installed decentralized solar micro-grids in remote areas of Ladakh and northeast India, providing clean energy to over 70,000 people across 190 villages. The model emphasizes community ownership, where residents are trained as technicians and eventually manage the systems. This transition from fossil fuels to over 1 megawatt of solar power has enabled the creation of 70 women-led homestays, the revival of traditional crafts, and the establishment of 35 Innovation centres providing digital content to 17,000 students.

The document details how GHE leverages tourism and corporate social responsibility (CSR) funding to install decentralized solar micro-grids in remote Himalayan villages in Ladakh. These projects provide clean energy to homes, schools, and health centers, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and improving living standards. Key outcomes include the electrification of 94 villages in Ladakh, the training of over 200 women as entrepreneurs and solar technicians, and the mitigation of over 230,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. The model emphasizes community ownership, where households eventually take over operations and maintenance, and integrates livelihood support through homestays and traditional handicrafts.

The report argues that climate change acts as a risk multiplier in the India-China rivalry, increasing the likelihood of conflict through material threats and perceptual risks. Key vulnerabilities include increased flooding in the Brahmaputra River Basin, which may be misconstrued as Chinese water manipulation, and warming in the western border region that could facilitate more frequent military patrols and clashes. The study also highlights the security implications of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) dam projects on the Indus and Brahmaputra rivers. To mitigate these risks, the authors recommend establishing granular data-sharing agreements, joint early warning systems for natural disasters, and long-term river basin treaties involving all riparian states.

The report finds that climate change will act as a risk multiplier in the India-China rivalry, increasing the likelihood of conflict through material environmental changes and perceptual misinterpretations. Key risks include increased flooding in the Brahmaputra River Basin, which may be misconstrued as Chinese water manipulation, and warming in the western border region that could facilitate more frequent military patrols and clashes. The study also highlights the role of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) dam projects on the Indus and Brahmaputra rivers as sources of regional instability and distrust. To mitigate these risks, the authors recommend institutionalizing data-sharing, establishing joint early warning systems for natural disasters, and pursuing long-term river basin treaties.

The annex updates data on electric vehicle GST concessions, power transmission infrastructure in Ladakh, LPG and kerosene subsidies, and a comprehensive list of coal producer and consumer taxes in India between FY 2014 and FY 2019.

The document outlines a comprehensive framework for snow leopard landscape management, emphasizing the integration of climate change projections, participatory stakeholder engagement, and 'green' economic development. It provides a step-by-step strategic planning process using the Open Standards for the Practice of Conservation, including threat rating matrices and the development of socio-economic-ecological models. The guide details methods for stakeholder analysis to identify areas of convergence and divergence, and proposes governance structures such as landscape-level foundations and coordination committees to harmonize conservation and development. It also lists best practices for mitigating human-wildlife conflict, such as predator-proof corrals and livestock insurance, and provides technical guidance on using GIS for habitat modeling, corridor design, and mapping water provision services. Finally, it advocates for 'smart green infrastructure' to ensure that economic development, such as hydropower and roads, does not fragment critical habitats.

The document provides a collection of research abstracts focusing on the intersection of climate change and snow leopard conservation. Key themes include the loss of potential habitat due to rising temperatures, the importance of ecosystem-based adaptation for mountain communities, and the role of community-led initiatives in reducing poaching and human-wildlife conflict. It also details genetic research identifying three snow leopard subspecies and explores the economic valuation of ecosystem services in high-mountain landscapes to incentivize conservation.

The document examines the disconnect between India's national and state-level disaster and climate policies, which often operate in silos. Through research in Barmer and Leh, it highlights how climate change is increasing the frequency of flash floods and 'invisible disasters'—small-scale events that go unreported. The briefing argues that local multi-stakeholder platforms, community-led knowledge sharing (such as 'weather schools' and radio programmes), and the use of post-disaster 'windows of opportunity' can help harmonise DRR and adaptation efforts and influence national policy.

The document argues that while gender mainstreaming is embedded in international policies, a significant gap remains in national and local implementation of disaster risk reduction. It highlights that disasters often result in higher mortality for women and exacerbate existing inequalities, such as the wage gap seen after Hurricane Katrina. However, it also emphasizes that women possess unique capacities and leadership skills in disaster recovery, such as organizing emergency kitchens in Jakarta. The brief warns against treating women as a homogenous vulnerable group and criticizes the assumption in some industrialized nations that existing equality laws automatically ensure gender-sensitive DRR. It recommends that the next international framework (HFA2) utilize an independent institution for monitoring and prioritize the collection of gender-disaggregated data.

The document argues that while international policies have increasingly adopted gender mainstreaming, a significant gap remains in national and local implementation of disaster risk reduction (DRR). It highlights that women are often incorrectly viewed as a homogenous vulnerable group, overlooking their specific capacities and leadership in disaster recovery. The brief provides evidence of gender-differentiated impacts from events like the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Katrina, and recommends that the next international framework include independent monitoring and the systematic collection of gender-disaggregated data.

The document details CDKN's efforts in India to enhance climate resilience through technical assistance, research, and policy support. Key initiatives include addressing 'silent disasters' in Ladakh, promoting gender-responsive state action plans, and using community radio for adaptation knowledge. It also analyzes the challenges facing State Action Plans for Climate Change (SAPCCs), noting that the automatic appointment of Forest Departments as nodal agencies often hinders the multi-sectoral coordination required for effective implementation.

A pilot project in Gangles, Ladakh, successfully implemented an insulated piped water network to overcome freezing temperatures of -30 degrees Celsius, providing 75 litres of water per person per day. The initiative relied on a partnership between the Public Health Engineering Department, NGOs, and the local community, who contributed to costs and maintenance to ensure ownership. The project's success, characterized by the use of ultrasonic meters and telescopic tariffs, has led to its replication across 11 Indian mountain states and the planning of a city-wide system for Leh.

India aims for net-zero emissions by 2070, with interim 2030 goals including 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity and 50% energy requirements from renewables. The transition faces significant hurdles, including a heavy reliance on coal (84% of power generation) and high import dependency for crude oil and solar components. Financial requirements are immense, estimated between USD 5.7 trillion by 2050 and USD 10.1 trillion by 2070. The report emphasizes the need for a 'just transition' to protect the livelihoods of approximately 13 million people dependent on coal mining and to address regional economic imbalances. Opportunities for acceleration include the green hydrogen policy, expansion of offshore wind, and the development of domestic energy storage manufacturing to reduce reliance on China.

The Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) estimated a total population of 718 snow leopards across an occupied habitat of 93,392 km². The study utilized camera trapping at 1,971 locations and occupancy modeling across regions including Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. Conservation efforts highlighted include the establishment of 57 Protected Areas covering 34% of the snow leopard range and the proposed creation of a Snow Leopard cell for coordinated monitoring.