IISER MOHALI

Abstract: India faces significant challenges in addressing regional disparity, energy poverty and air pollution, particularly in its rural areas. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of these issues and their implications for India’s energy and environmental policies. Using unique mathematical functions derived from historical time-series data on per-capita energy consumption (PEC) we assess future trends in energy consumption and poverty levels. Our analysis reveals that while overall energy consumption for various services is projected to increase, there are stark differences between urban and rural areas, as well as among states with varying levels of development. By 2050, energy poverty is expected to decrease, yet challenges remain, especially in low-developing states. Furthermore, we address the critical environmental issues of air pollution in India’s residential sector. Through the development of a residential sector model, we project future carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions up to 2070 and evaluate the co-benefits of achieving carbon neutrality. Our findings highlight the importance of transitioning to advanced energy sources to reduce direct exposure to harmful air pollutions such as black carbon (BC) and particulate matter. Moreover, we analyse various mitigation scenarios, including a carbon-neutral target by 2070, to assess their impact on emission reduction. Transitioning to renewable electricity emerges as a key strategy, leading to significant reductions in both CO2 emissions and air pollutants compared to business-as-usual scenarios. This study underscores the urgent need for targeted policies and investments in clean energy technologies, especially in rural areas, to simultaneously address energy poverty, regional disparity, and air pollution in India.\n\nMeeting ID: 944 2649 3601\nPasscode: 070134\n