Authors: Ashmita Kulabhi, Trisha Dev, Ankit Gautam, Jerin Jojy

ABSTRACT

Climate change, environmental degradation, and resource depletion have emerged as some of the most pressing global issues of recent times. Transitioning towards a low-carbon economy that safeguards natural
resources is therefore imperative for achieving a sustainable future. In this context, India’s ambitious targets of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuelbased power generation capacity by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2070,
underscore the urgency of a green economy transition capable of meeting the nation’s burgeoning energy demands in a sustainable yet reliable manner. This paper analyses India’s green transition by examining sectoral pathways of decarbonisation across key domains—urbanisation, transport, industry, and MSMEs. It explores the country’s evolving energy landscape, focusing on the growth trajectory and changing composition of non-fossil fuel-based installed capacity, while also highlighting the regional disparities and policy drivers underpinning renewable expansion. To capture these regional dynamics, a comparative case study approach is employed, analysing Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar as representative examples of high-, medium-, and low-performing states in the green transition. This approach provides deeper insights into how policy frameworks, institutional capacity, and investment flows influence renewable energy outcomes. Further, the study constructs a Green Inclusiveness Index (GII), composed of four equally weighted indicators, to assess the extent of regional inclusiveness in renewable energy deployment. The findings reveal that, although India has made consistent progress in expanding its non-fossil fuel capacity and diversifying its energy mix, the distribution of renewable energy remains spatially uneven, reflecting a distinct green divide among states. The paper concludes with evidence-based policy recommendations aimed at promoting a just and inclusive green transition.

Keywords: Green Transition, Green Inclusiveness Index, Energy Transition
Trajectory, Green Industrial Corridors, Transport Decarbonisation, Green
Divide