An Egalitarian Green Growth Programme for India

This paper explores the interrelationships in India between economic growth, expanding employment opportunities and the imperative of dramatically reducing CO2 emissions. Specifically, it shows that within a framework of economic growth, the Indian economy can both expand employment opportunities for workers, peasants and the poor while also reducing CO2 emissions. The model assumes that India grows at an average annual rate of 6.0% over a 20-year period. Within this framework, it proposes that India increase its annual total of public and private investments in energy efficiency and clean renewable energy sources by 1.5% of gross domestic product. The paper finds that India will achieve dramatic CO2 emissions reductions and generate major gains in employment opportunities by undertaking these clean energy investments, as opposed to maintaining the economy’s existing fossil-fuel based energy infrastructure. India could accomplish these goals while also eliminating entirely its reliance on nuclear power.

>> This version of the study appears in Economic & Political Weekly. A PERI working paper version of the full study is also available here