Net-Zero Energy Campuses in India: Blending Education and Governance for Sustainable and Just Transition

Abstract

This study addresses the urgent need for comprehensive climate education in the midst of climate emergency. Human (energy) behaviours are developed from childhood and early adulthood. This study hypothesises that transcending a nation's net-zero energy ambition can be accomplished through experiential education. An Urban Governance Lab plus nEt-Zero Energy league model is introduced. It draws ideas from serious games to design a gourmet of behavioural interventions administered by young citizens. Discussions provide rich narratives on how a nation with such a large number of communities can forge a rapid net-zero transition. The blended multi-disciplinary STEM education is key in driving energy citizenship in campus-like communities. A scenarios-based analysis demonstrating the potential of the proposed model in shaping energy behaviour in young citizens leading to net-zero is presented. The results from scenarios analysis present optimistic evidence underlining how campus-like communities driven by bottom-up initiatives can realise net-zero ambition beyond just hope.

Keywords: climate education, behavioural interventions, league model, net-zero transition, India