5. Co-benefits from the Energy Sector

With the onset of climate change on the horizon of human civilization, from the 1990s onwards, research in the interphase of economy, energy and environment (read emissions), collectively known as the E3 nexus is increasingly gaining focus in academics and policy-making. Since 2009, when the world became more urban than rural, there seems to be a growing interest to study how this E3 nexus operates in urban areas. In the absence of any previous investigations on E3 linkages in India, this study proceeds on the research premise that E3 challenges are most crucially played out in urban areas, that possibly seek concerted technological and policy-oriented interventions to produce climate co-benefits. The chapter reviews global literature to theoretically comprehend E3 linkages in urban settlements. This is followed by a detailed study on present conditions, issues and challenges of India’s economy, energy and environment (emission) sectors. The research underscores the role of urban India in these three sectors and generates for the first time, superimposed scenarios of the nexus. The study culminates with a discussion on appropriate technology and policy/governance instruments that could possibly mitigate impacts and produce co-benefits in urban areas.