Climate action: Delhi may have ideas worthy of wide emulation
₹3 for electricity generated from rooftop panels. To address concerns of initial costs, the Delhi government has also promised capital subsidies to residential consumers over and above the subsidy provided by the Central government under the Rooftop Solar Programme Phase II. Sensing broader aspirations, Delhi’s policy is now being extended to commercial and industrial consumers as well, a major upgradation of the 2016 model.
A striking aspect of this policy is the priority it accords equity by allowing for the development of community solar models. It targets households that have suitable roofs to install private solar plants. Moreover, it incorporates market mechanisms to solve an energy crisis, by facilitating peer-to-peer trading so that small-plant owners can easily transfer any excess power generated to other consumers through an energy-trading platform.
The Delhi government’s just transition needs to be emulated by other Indian states, and even nationally by the Union government. CM Kejriwal has led Delhi onto a path of economic growth while keeping climate action at the heart of the state government’s policy innovations. Concerns over the negative economic impact of climate action have been relieved to a considerable extent by Delhi’s example.
The clock is already ticking on India’s ambitious 2070 net-zero goal. It will need the commitment and political will of elected leaders. Despite Delhi’s smaller geographical footprint compared to most other Indian states, its innovative policy mix on climate action has set it apart, raising our resilience and the hopes of future generations.
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