Net-Zero Emissions Course: Energy, Climate Crisis & Solutions | IIT Kanpur

Course Details

Energy and the Climate Crisis: Charting India's Path to Net-Zero Emissions

The climate crisis is the defining challenge of our generation, and at its heart lies our global energy system. For a rapidly developing nation like India, which faces the dual imperative of fueling economic growth and mitigating environmental impact, navigating this transition is particularly complex. The postgraduate course "Energy and the Climate Crisis: The Path to Net-Zero Emissions", offered by the esteemed Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and led by the renowned Prof. Rajeev Jindal, provides a critical roadmap for this journey.

This 12-week multidisciplinary course is designed to equip future leaders, policymakers, and engineers with a holistic understanding of the intricate link between energy consumption and climate change, specifically within the Indian and global context.

Why This Course is Essential Now

India stands at a crossroads. As energy demand is projected to increase drastically, the choices made today will lock in emissions pathways for decades. This course moves beyond theoretical discourse to offer a pragmatic, solutions-oriented curriculum. It bridges the gap between hard science, technology innovation, policy frameworks, and on-the-ground implementation challenges, preparing professionals to drive tangible change in industry and governance.

Course Instructor: Prof. Rajeev Jindal

The course is led by Prof. Rajeev Jindal, a unique blend of accomplished academic and seasoned industry expert. With a PhD in Physics from IIT Delhi and postdoctoral experience in France and the USA, Prof. Jindal brings deep scientific rigor. His extensive industry tenure, where he launched over 200 products and filed 20 patents, ensures the course content is grounded in commercial and practical reality. His current research at IIT Kanpur focuses on net-zero campuses, waste management, and renewable energy transition policy, making him the ideal guide for this critical subject.

Detailed 12-Week Course Layout

The curriculum is meticulously structured to build knowledge from foundational concepts to complex integrated solutions.

Weeks 1-3: The Foundation of the Crisis

Week 1 sets the stage with a global and Indian overview, tracing the evolution of energy demand, the role of fossil fuels, and expected greenhouse gas (GHG) trajectories.
Weeks 2 & 3 delve into the science of climate change: historical data, GHG types and warming potential, sectoral and regional emission contributions, and the stark impacts of global temperature rise.

Weeks 4-6: Mastering Demand-Side Management

A key focus is on curbing energy demand before scaling supply. These weeks analyze:

• Energy consumption trends across regions and sectors.
• The critical role of energy efficiency (EE) and interventions in major industries like steel and cement.
• The projected growth of the transport sector and mitigation plans.
• Strategies for the built environment, addressing both urban expansion and rural energy inefficiencies.

Weeks 7-10: Transforming the Energy Supply

This module provides a comprehensive audit of clean energy technologies:

• Week 7: Major energy sources, Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE) calculations, and the role of growing renewables.
• Week 8: Deep dive into solar energy: technologies, costs, embedded carbon, and India’s vast potential.
• Week 9: Analysis of wind energy, alongside the status of hydro and nuclear power.
• Week 10: Exploration of geothermal, biofuels, hydrogen, and the indispensable role of energy storage and Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) technologies.

Weeks 11 & 12: Synthesis and Policy for Net-Zero

The course culminates by integrating all learnings into the net-zero framework. It covers the definition of net-zero, its relation to international COP commitments, the history of global climate negotiations, and the profound social challenges inherent in a just transition.

Who Should Enroll?

This course is ideal for postgraduate students and professionals aiming to build careers in:

• Sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)
• Energy Policy and Climate Diplomacy
• Renewable Energy Project Development
• Corporate Strategy for Net-Zero Transition
• Environmental Engineering and Consulting

Prerequisites: A basic understanding of physics, mathematics, and chemistry is recommended to fully engage with the technical aspects of the curriculum.

Industry Relevance and Support

The course has direct relevance for any industry undergoing a net-zero transition, including power generation, manufacturing, automotive, construction, and consulting. The blend of technology assessment, policy analysis, and economic evaluation provides the toolkit needed to develop viable decarbonization strategies in the corporate world.

Key Learning Outcomes

Participants will complete the course with the ability to:

• Interpret the scientific basis of climate change and its connection to energy systems.
• Evaluate energy demand scenarios and design efficiency interventions for key sectors.
• Compare the techno-economic and environmental metrics of various renewable energy and storage technologies.
• Understand the necessity and mechanics of CCUS and other transition technologies.
• Navigate the policy landscape of international climate agreements and national missions.
• Formulate integrated strategies contributing to a net-zero emissions goal, particularly for India.

"Energy and the Climate Crisis: The Path to Net-Zero Emissions" is more than an academic course; it is an essential training ground for the architects of a sustainable future. Under the guidance of Prof. Rajeev Jindal, participants will gain the multidisciplinary expertise required to turn the monumental challenge of climate change into an opportunity for innovation, equity, and resilient growth.

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