Global South’s Decarbonisation Pathway: Balancing Growth and Net-Zero

“Clean and green growth”—achieving economic development alongside environmental sustainability—is essential for the Global South as countries seek to expand their economies while addressing climate challenges. Sub-national states play a central role in this transition, given their responsibility for key sectors such as energy, industry, agriculture, and transport. Their actions are closely linked to national objectives like Net Zero 2070, India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and the broader Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Emerging decarbonisation pathways from Global South countries reveal both opportunities and constraints, highlighting the trade-offs inherent in pursuing low-carbon development. The central challenge lies in reconciling the dual goals of economic growth and poverty alleviation with ambitious net-zero commitments. Achieving this balance requires enabling conditions in finance, technology, policy, and institutional frameworks to support an equitable and practical transition. Strengthening South–South collaboration on technology transfer, climate finance, capacity building, and regional value chains will be vital to accelerate a just and sustainable low-carbon future.

Organizers:

• Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation
• The Energy and Resources Institute
• The Climate and Society Institute (iCS)

Key speakers and Panelists:

• Moderator: Theo Mitchell, Global Director, Children's Investment Fund Foundation
• Keynote speaker: Mr Arupendra Nath Mullick, Associate Director and Vice President, TERI Council for Business Sustainability, TERI
• Mr Ramanshu, Associate Director, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation, Associate Director, Shakti Sustainable Energy Foundation
• Mr James Schofield, Deputy Director, Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA), Mission Possible Partnership
• Dr Paravastu Rambabu, Chief Sustainability Officer, Greenko Group
• Mr Juan David Ferreira, Policy Director, Latimpacto
• Mr Walter Figueiredo De Simoni, Climate Policy, Institutions and Law Manager, iCS

Key themes covered:

• Why “clean and green growth”—economic growth aligned with environmental sustainability—is vital for the Global South.
• The pivotal role of sub-national states, as key sectors like energy, industry, agriculture, and transport fall within their jurisdiction.
• How states aim to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability through policy, planning, and innovation.
• Opportunities: Renewable energy, green industries, green jobs, and sustainable finance.
• Challenges: High transition costs, industrial retrofitting, skill gaps, and growing climate risks.