Introductory Para
There is a clear lack of ambition in the strategies proposed. In case of renewable energy, for instance, the goal proposed even for the 'aggressive effort scenario' is far lower than what has been proposed in the National Action Plan for Climate Change.
The report doesn't provide any overarching framework for low carbon 'inclusive' growth. On the contrary, the report is based on the assumption that the electricity intensity of the Indian economy might actually increase or at best will remain constant. In many sectors, the data used by the expert group is rather weak, outdated and not referenced. The use of old data has meant erroneous emission calculations. In many sectors this has meant that the 2020 performance projected by the group has already been achieved or will be achieved soon. In other sectors, the 2020 performance is overly ambitious and will be difficult to achieve.
The sum total of strategies proposed by the expert group in various sectors is not very different than what has been proposed or being implemented by different ministries/departments. It seems that the Expert group is quite comfortable with the 'business-as-usual' to continue, as its 'determined effort scenario' is no different than what has been proposed or being implemented by different ministries/departments.
The final conclusion of the report is that the real GDP of India can grow at 8-9% and even in the 'determined effort scenario' (more or less similar to the planed and programmes being currently implemented by various ministries/ departments) the country can achieve 23-25% reduction in emissions intensity over 2005 levels.
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