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The proposal seeks USD 100 million in senior loans from the GCF, matched by USD 100 million from Tata Cleantech Capital Limited (TCCL) and USD 50 million in project developer equity. The programme aims to install 250 MW of solar rooftop capacity between 2018 and 2023, targeting an indicative lifetime emission reduction of approximately 5.2 million tCO2eq. TCCL will act as the executing entity, providing loans to developers to overcome barriers such as the lack of long-term debt financing (12-15 years) and high perceived risks in the rooftop solar segment. The programme specifically targets the commercial and industrial (C&I) sector for 65-70% of funds, with the remainder for institutional, social, and residential sectors, including a focus on MSMEs and vulnerable communities.

The report finds that India's thermal power sector is heavily dependent on freshwater, with nearly 90% of generation relying on it for cooling. This dependency has led to significant generation losses, including 14 terawatt-hours in 2016 alone, and over $1.4 billion in potential revenue losses for the top 20 utility companies between 2013 and 2016. The authors highlight that plants in high water-stress regions have a 21% lower average capacity factor. To mitigate these risks, the paper recommends mandating water data disclosure, standardizing reporting, and prioritizing a shift toward solar PV and wind energy, which could significantly reduce both water withdrawal and consumption intensities by 2027.

The report examines India's coal dependency and the challenges of transitioning to a low-carbon economy. Using the AIM/Enduse model, it compares the Intended Nationally Determined Contribution (INDC) scenario with two 2°C pathways: a 'conventional' one relying on Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) and a 'sustainable' one shifting toward renewables, gas, and nuclear power. Key findings highlight the risk of significant stranded assets—including approximately 220 billion tonnes of unutilized coal reserves valued at USD 6.7 trillion—and the increasing vulnerability of coal power plants to water shortages, which already cause substantial generation losses. The report argues that while coal remains a mainstay until 2030, a managed phase-out is necessary to meet global climate targets, requiring synchronized actions in energy efficiency, renewable scaling, and the retirement of inefficient sub-critical plants.

The annex details updates to India's energy subsidy landscape, noting the discontinuation of several renewable energy schemes and tax holidays for power generation and mineral oil production. It introduces new subsidies linked to the 2017 Goods and Services Tax (GST) for coal, LPG, and renewable energy equipment, alongside the Saubhagya electrification scheme and various national and state-level (Maharashtra) incentives for electric vehicles.

The document examines why many countries have integrated climate adaptation into policy documents without translating these plans into concrete projects. It identifies key barriers including lack of finance, technical knowledge limitations, and insufficient political will. By analyzing 'early movers'—Afghanistan, Colombia, Germany, India, and Rwanda—the paper highlights five critical success factors: sustained political leadership, legally binding policy mandates, inter-agency coordination, access to tailored information, and supportive budgetary processes.

The document analyzes Pune's efforts toward urban sustainability and equity, highlighting the role of civil society organization (CSO) coalitions in collaborating with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC). While progress was made in sustainable transport (via the BRTS) and solid waste management (via the SWaCH cooperative), these gains are threatened by fragmented governance, the corporatization of waste, and a shift toward centralized, high-tech infrastructure like the Metro rail. The authors argue that lasting transformation is hindered by the PMC's lack of financial and political autonomy from the state government of Maharashtra.

The document details the implementation of South Asia's first Heat Action Plan in Ahmedabad, which has since influenced 17 cities and 11 Indian states. It outlines the multifaceted threats of heat waves—including health risks, economic productivity loss, and infrastructure damage—and provides a framework for preparedness through early warning systems, public awareness, medical capacity building, and long-term urban adaptation like 'cool roofs'. The guide emphasizes the roles of political will, inter-agency partnerships, and scientific evidence in successfully scaling these interventions.

The Indian government is implementing a series of reforms to reduce its petroleum subsidy bill, including daily price revisions for petrol and diesel and the gradual elimination of LPG and kerosene subsidies by March 2018. Simultaneously, the government is expanding electricity access through the Saubhagya scheme and restructuring distribution company debt via UDAY. There is also a proposal to integrate petroleum products into the unified Goods and Services Tax (GST) mechanism to simplify the current dual-taxation system.

The document analyzes the inefficiencies of India's Public Distribution System (PDS) for kerosene, noting high rates of leakage and poor targeting. It argues that current subsidies make solar lighting less cost-competitive for households, particularly for mid- and high-end systems. The authors recommend streamlining eligibility, phasing out subsidies in electrified areas, and redirecting funds toward a 'lighting subsidy' for solar solutions.

The report argues that electricity systems can transition to near-total renewable energy at a cost competitive with gas-based systems, provided a portfolio of flexibility resources is deployed. It identifies six types of flexibility needs—ranging from instantaneous reserves to seasonal balancing—and evaluates technologies such as batteries, demand-side management, and hydroelectric power. Regional analysis shows that while most areas are well-positioned for the next decade, long-term needs for intraday and interday balancing will require significant investment and market redesign to avoid costly lock-in of fossil fuel assets.

The report assesses the decarbonization of Indian Railways (IR), the world's second largest railway network and India's largest electricity consumer. It identifies that transitioning to an electrified network is a prerequisite for decarbonization. The study compares eight pathways based on procurement (captive generation vs. purchasing), rate (accelerated by 2020 vs. normal by 2030), and technology (solar vs. solar-wind mix). Findings indicate that accelerated captive generation is the most cost-effective pathway for both traction and non-traction segments, offering savings of 32% and 61% respectively over business-as-usual scenarios. Implementation challenges include inconsistent state policies on net metering and open access, as well as the need for load balancing technologies like power banking and pumped hydro storage.

The report argues that India's kerosene subsidy program is highly inefficient due to significant leakages and poor service quality. It proposes replacing these subsidies with targeted support for solar-based lighting in rural areas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for urban-poor households, asserting that such a transition would be economically beneficial for both the government and the beneficiaries.

The report examines how the removal of fossil-fuel subsidies for LPG, kerosene, diesel, and electricity affects men and women differently in India. It finds that current subsidies largely fail rural women, who rely heavily on biomass, and that shifting to cash transfers via bank accounts creates barriers for women due to lower financial inclusion. The author argues for gender-responsive budgeting and targeted interventions to prevent women from reverting to dirtier fuels while promoting their empowerment.

The report finds that India's LPG subsidy system is highly regressive, primarily benefiting wealthy urban households while the poorest fifth of the population receives less than 1% of the total direct subsidy. While an initial household cylinder cap of six in September 2012 temporarily limited subsidy growth and improved distribution, subsequent increases of the cap to nine and then 12 cylinders effectively reversed these gains. The Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) program is criticized for failing to decouple subsidy receipt from fuel consumption and for introducing administrative inefficiencies without improving equity or fiscal responsibility.

The document analyzes how structural and regulatory inefficiencies in India's trucking industry, such as poor road quality and toll delays, exacerbate the impact of rising diesel prices. It finds that truck operators are largely 'price takers' unable to pass fuel cost increases to customers due to fierce competition and a dependence on brokers. To mitigate these impacts, the brief recommends short-term interventions like reducing toll waiting times and fixing minimum freight rates, alongside long-term structural reforms including computerized exchange networks and improved fuel efficiency standards.

The report examines the tension between India's centralized conservation laws, such as the Wild Life (Protection) Act 1972, and the rights of forest-dependent communities. It highlights the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 (FRA) as a critical tool for securing community tenure and management rights. The document details various types of CCAs, including sacred groves and community-managed forests, while criticizing the 'ecodevelopment' model and the lack of legal recognition for marine and wetland conservation initiatives. It concludes with recommendations for legal reforms to prioritize site-specific, decentralized governance and the recognition of customary laws.

The paper proposes a framework of seven adaptive policy-making practices, divided into planned and autonomous adaptability, to help governments navigate unpredictable climate impacts. Based on research in Canada and India, the authors suggest that while these practices exist, they are often used ad hoc and should instead be integrated into a systematic approach of continuous policy piloting to overcome political and fiscal barriers.

The paper advocates for a risk management approach to climate adaptation that integrates physical prevention with financial risk transfer. It highlights that while many climate losses can be averted through cost-effective measures, residual risks necessitate insurance and capital market instruments to protect vulnerable economies. Using examples from India and the Caribbean, it emphasizes the role of public-private partnerships and quantitative cost-benefit analysis in building climate resilience.

The author contends that national adaptation plans, such as National Adaptation Programs of Action (NAPAs), are overly state-driven and top-down, failing to engage the local communities that actually experience climate impacts. Because adaptation is inherently local, the paper argues that CSOs and NGOs are best positioned to build adaptive capacity, represent vulnerable populations, and ensure that technological interventions are socially embedded and sustainable. The author details several roles for CSOs, including resource mobilisation, vulnerability mapping, and advocating for regulatory changes to protect nature-based livelihoods. The document concludes by recommending a multi-tier institutional framework, citing India's National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) as a model for coordinating efforts between government, CSOs, and local stakeholders.

The report argues that India's push for jatropha to meet biodiesel targets has led to the forced displacement of tribal and lower-caste communities from their traditional lands. While promoted as a pro-poor, non-food crop for 'waste land', the report finds that jatropha often displaces food crops and common resources, fails to thrive due to poor understanding of growing conditions, and is unlikely to be commercially viable as a monoculture.