IRADe is an independent non-profit, advanced research institute which aims to conduct research and policy analysis to engage stakeholders such as government, non- governmental organisations, corporations, academic and financial institutions. Energy, climate change, urban development, poverty, gender equity, agriculture and food security are some of the challenges faced in the 21stcentury, IRADe’s research covers these issues, as well as the policies that affect them. IRADe’s focus is effective action through multi-disciplinary and multi- stakeholder research, to arrive at implementable solutions for sustainable development and policy research that accounts for the effective governance of techno-economic and socio-cultural issues.
IRADe was established under the Society’s Act, in 2002 at New Delhi. It is certified as a Research &Development Organisation by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), Government of India. It has also been selected as a Centre of Excellence by the Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD), Government of India for urban development and climate change. In addition, it provides expertise to other ministries, national and international institutions and partners with other reputed organisations.
IRADe was designated as a Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Urban Development and Climate Change in 2008, by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India. The CoE addresses critical issues related to Urban development and Climate Resilience in India, through capacity building, research and training, integrating various urban development efforts and documenting best practices and policy level prescriptions.
CoE has undertaken rapid vulnerability assessment of 20 cities, devised roadmap for mainstreaming climate and disaster resilience components in the smart city development plans of 10 cities, and piloted urban climate vulnerability index. Committed towards strengthening city health resilience, the COE is actively involved in developing Climate Adaptive Heat Stress Action Plans, Early Warning System for Dengue and Air Pollution Action plans.
The research findings of COE have facilitated decision-making for various ministries, including Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Niti Ayog, Ministry of Power, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Urban Development, Department of Science and Technology, among others. COE has also contributed to the low carbon pathways and the Nationally Determined Contributions until 2030 and 2050, and the research outcomes are widely shared in platforms like IPCCSREX, European Union, Rockefeller Foundation (ACCCRN), UN Habitat and other international forums.