Research & Development
Creating The Knowledge Behind Sustainable Decisions
Driving
Innovation
in Sustainability
Through Science & Policy
ICE&SDGs delivers cutting-edge R&D in sustainability, climate strategy, circular economy, ESG innovation, and digital transformation — empowering organisations to lead the transition through science-driven insights and innovation. Driving sustainability innovation through advanced research, climate strategy, circular economy intelligence, and digital ESG tools — empowering organisations to lead the transition to a low-carbon, inclusive and resilient future through science-driven insights.
ICE&SDGs' Research, Publications & Policy Insights function serves as the intellectual engine of the institution. Our research informs our advisory, enriches our training, and generates original policy intelligence that shapes sustainability discourse in India and beyond. We combine peer-reviewed academic rigour with the pragmatism of an organisation that implements what it researches.
Our R&D collaboration with IIT Kanpur and various other academic organisation, enables that frontier academic thinking flows directly into our publications and policy positions. We also collaborate with UNIDO, Climate-KIC, Luxembourg Stock Exchange, IISD, RECP-Net, and GGKP — creating a global research network that no other Indian sustainability institution can match.
Our research has contributed to the Indian GHG Program, informed India's positions at UNFCCC negotiations, supported the development of circular economy models adopted by UN organisations, and advanced sustainable finance frameworks in collaboration with international stock exchanges.
Research Highlights
- IIT Kanpur Kotak School of Sustainability — formal R&D partnership
- UNIDO, IISD, GGKP, RECP-Net — research collaborations
- Represented India in climate negotiations
- Research published by leading national and global platforms
- Developed Training Manuals on Implementation of Circular Economy in SMEs
- R&D on Implementation of Circular Economy in Fast Fashion and Textile Sector
- Developed Basis of Pfreparation for ASX listed Multinational Companies, Australia, EU, Ireland, UK, and SE Asia
- Prepared Net Zero Plan for Multinational Businesses In Australia
- R&D - ESG Analytics on Top 25 Companies Listed in India
OUR RESEARCH AREAS
Each research domain is directly connected to our advisory, training and digital platform services — ensuring our outputs are not just academic but immediately applicable to organisational sustainability challenges.
Climate Portfolio Management
Advanced research into climate risk, transition pathways, and carbon market mechanics — generating actionable intelligence for India's Net Zero journey and the operationalisation of the Indian Carbon Market (ICM).
- Materiality Assessment & TCFD Climate Risk
- Climate Transition Strategy & Scenario Analysis
- Carbon Neutrality Pathways & Net Zero Planning
- Carbon Markets, Credits & CCTS Compliance Research
- Sustainable Finance & Green Bond Intelligence
Circular Economy R&D
India-contextualised circular economy modelling and waste-to-value systems research — our models have been adopted by UN organisations and recognised by the World Economic Forum as Highly Commended at The Circulars 2019.
- Digital Circular Economy Modelling
- Waste-to-Value System Design
- Zero Waste Architecture & EPR Policy
- Resource Efficiency Optimisation
- Circular Product & Business Model Innovation
ESG & Social Impact Research
Original research into ESG measurement frameworks, BRSR implementation challenges, social return on investment (SROI) methodologies, and SDG-aligned CSR impact assessment — informing our advisory and audit practice.
- SDG-Aligned CSR Design & Measurement
- SROI Analysis & Social Audit Methodology
- Community Development Impact Research
- CSR Governance, Compliance & Best Practice
- BRSR & ESG Disclosure Effectiveness Studies
Digital Intelligence for ESG & Climate
Research into AI-powered sustainability modelling, real-time GHG tracking, and digital ESG platforms — forming the basis of our AI for Sustainability service and the krystahlesg.cloud platform.
- AI-Powered GHG Accounting & Emissions Forecasting
- Real-Time Climate Strategy Insights
- Automated ESG Scoring & Benchmarking
- Data-Driven Sustainability Decision Models
- Digital MRV Framework Development
Sustainable Finance Research
Frontier research in green finance instruments, ESG-linked investment frameworks, and capital market sustainability integration — including our collaboration with the Luxembourg Stock Exchange on sustainable finance model development.
- Green Bond & ESG-Linked Finance Frameworks
- Sustainable Investment Standards (UNPRI, TCFD)
- India Green Taxonomy Research
- Sovereign Green Bond Impact Assessment
- Carbon Market Investment Intelligence
Nature-Based Solutions & Biodiversity
Research into afforestation, agroforestry, mangrove restoration, and nature-based carbon sequestration — aligned with India's NDC commitments and the evolving landscape of Green Credits and CCTS offset methodologies.
- Forest Carbon Sequestration & LULUCF Research
- Green Credit Programme Policy Analysis
- Agroforestry Carbon Project Methodologies
- Biodiversity Risk & TNFD Framework Research
- Nature-Based Solutions for Urban Resilience
Innovation in Action: R&D Projects Implemented
ICE&SDGs' research outputs span technical reports, policy briefs, academic papers, and knowledge partnerships — spanning circular economy, climate, ESG, sustainable finance, e-waste, and social impact domains.
Low Carbon Development Pathway for Telangana State
A comprehensive analysis of decarbonisation options for Telangana — modelling sector-specific abatement pathways, investment requirements, and policy enablers for a low-carbon state economy. Developed in partnership with the Government of Telangana.
Digital-Circular Economy Model for Electronic Waste Management
Pioneering framework for digital tracking of e-waste flows — enabling circular material recovery, policy compliance and zero-waste systems design. Recognised as Highly Commended at The Circulars 2019 by the World Economic Forum, Davos.
Innovative Financial Frameworks for Sustainable Development
Exploration of green bond structures, ESG-linked instruments, and blended finance models for sustainable development — examining applicability for Indian and emerging market contexts.
Indian Greenhouse Gas Program (IGHGP) — Sector Analyses
Sector-level GHG accounting, benchmarking and reduction pathway analysis under the Indian GHG Program — covering energy, industry, transport, agriculture and waste sectors.
Mercury Monitoring System for Electrical & Electronic Waste — Bangladesh
Design and implementation advisory for a mercury-containing lamp monitoring system in Bangladesh — ensuring environmental safety, regulatory compliance and e-waste management efficiency.
Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) 2023 — Sector Impact Analysis
Comprehensive analysis of India's CCTS framework — covering compliance mechanism design, offset methodology approvals and sector implications.
Collaborate with ICE&SDGs For R&D
We partner with academic institutions, corporates, governments, and international organisations on original research, policy analysis, and knowledge creation in sustainability.
