From lighting up lives to powering livelihoods: TERI’s LaBL 2.0 targets the next billion people

New Delhi: At a defining moment for India’s clean energy transition, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) launched LaBL 2.0 (Lighting a Billion Lives 2.0) – reimagining decentralized renewable energy as a catalyst for green livelihoods, women-led entrepreneurship and measurable climate action – at an inspiring ‘Hope Dinner’ in New Delhi.The evening, held at the iconic Taj Palace in New Delhi, brought together policymakers, ministers, industry leaders, multilateral agencies, financial institutions, civil society representatives and grassroots beneficiaries to mark a crucial step in promoting inclusive clean energy solutions in India.Following the revolutionary success of TERI’s original “Lighting a Billion Lives” program, which demonstrated how decentralized renewable energy (DRE) can empower communities, LaBL 2.0 goes beyond energy access to enable large-scale productive use of decentralized renewable energy, green livelihoods and women-led enterprises, strengthened local clean energy value chains, robust carbon accounting and climate outcome measurement, and a scalable, replicable and finance-ready implementation model.That evening, the TERI-MNRE joint policy document was officially launched in collaboration with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), strengthening the alignment between decentralized renewable energy expansion and India’s 2070 net-zero emissions path.Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI said, “Everyone wants change now; everyone wants the voice of the poor to be heard and TERI understands that our country cannot develop if we leave the rural communities behind. While we are very proud to say that per capita energy consumption in India is low, we must understand that this is due to two reasons – lack of accessibility and affordability. If India is to develop, we must make energy available to all at affordable prices.” With this vision, TERI launches “Lighting Up a Billion Lives.”Scientist-F and MNRE senior director Dr Jeevan Kumar Jethani asserted, “Even after 76 years of independence, if we cannot provide light, it cannot reflect well. The government has been making strong efforts to provide grid connectivity and expand services through solar power in areas without access to the grid. It is our responsibility to provide energy for rural people’s livelihood, so that people can carry out economic activities without leaving home and do not have to go to cities to work.“Dr Amit Kumar Thakur, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at TERI said, “We started by lighting homes; now we are moving towards powering livelihoods. LaBL has a long canvas. Launched in 2008, we began this journey with a clear vision of bringing power to places where the grid cannot reach. Access to energy changes the night, but livelihood changes the future – this is the birth of LaBL 2.0. “The kickoff included the unveiling of the LaBL 2.0 mission and vision, program logo, digital platform and the premiere of the LaBL 2.0 vision film, setting the tone for an inclusive, responsible and financially sustainable transition.Dr Laxmikant Bajpai, Member of Parliament, who addressed the ministerial meeting and participated at a high level, said: “Sustainable development starts with local action. By observing the transformation of Hastinapur, we see a powerful blueprint for how renewable energy can meet our modern needs while respecting our heritage. It is through these regional successes that we build a truly sustainable and energy independent India.”“Shri Om Prakash Sinha, Member of Parliament said, “The ultimate benefits of research and development should reach the masses. The objective of LaBL 2.0 is the same. The need of the hour is to be greener, reduce carbon footprint and increase productivity – the energy transition should reach the masses at the bottom.”His Excellency Mr. Madhav Prasad Chaulagain, Minister of Forests and Environment, Nepal, His Excellency Dr. Dammika Patabendi, Minister of Environment, Sri Lanka, Hon. Dr. Muaviyath Mohamed, Minister of State for Tourism and Environment of the Maldives; Ms. Dechen Tsering, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and Ms. Martina Otto, Head of the Secretariat of the Climate and Clean Air Alliance of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) attended this important moment.Shri Nitin Desai, Chairman, TERI said, “The fundamental principle of this approach is the need to reach out to the people at the grassroots level. As leaders such as mahatma gandhi Like our Prime Minister, development must reach “Antyodaya” – the last person in the queue. The key to sustainable development lies in the effectiveness with which these goals are ultimately achieved. This is what TERI strives for. Lighting a Billion Lives aims to reach people at the grassroots level, making energy accessible to all. “Dr. Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, TERI, said: “We have shown how sustainable ways of doing things can have a significant impact on our lives and we are proving this through LaBL. LaBL is aligned with SDG 2030, Viksit Bharat 2047 and Net Zero 2070. LaBL 2.0 symbolizes a renewed commitment to rural energy decentralization to strengthen rural communities and advance India’s climate and development goals. “LaBL 2.0 also announced a series of flagship initiatives aimed at accelerating impact at scale: Hastinapur Model City, HUDCO Model Solar Village, TKIL Strategic Partnership for Solar and Innovative Technologies, GCC DRE Carbon Credit Scheme and Hindalco – Sustainable Remediation of Legacy Waste Sites.These initiatives signal a shift towards a converged DRE model coupled with a robust monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) framework – unlocking access to climate finance and carbon markets while enhancing accountability and viability.In a powerful recognition segment, LaBL partners and beneficiaries were recognized on stage – reaffirming that clean energy must be community-led and livelihood-focused. The symbolic “Press the Light for LaBL” pledge invites partners and supporters to unite and illuminate the halls at all times in a shared commitment to expanding decentralized clean energy solutions.LaBL 2.0 combines decentralized renewable energy with climate finance, just transition principles and measurable climate outcomes. By bringing together small-scale interventions and linking them to a robust carbon accounting framework, the program aims to make grassroots clean energy projects investment-ready and globally credible.Through LaBL 2.0, TERI, in partnership with MNRE and a broad coalition of stakeholders, reaffirms its commitment to accelerate India’s green transition to improve livelihoods, empower women entrepreneurs, increase climate responsibility, and meaningfully contribute to national and global sustainable development goals.About LaBL 2.0LaBL 2.0 is TERI’s next generation decentralized renewable energy initiative focused on productive energy solutions, green livelihoods, scalable implementation models and climate outcome measurement. It builds on the Lighting a Billion Lives initiative while integrating carbon markets, blended finance and the systemic MRV framework. About the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSDS)The World Sustainability Summit is TERI’s flagship annual event, providing a global platform for leaders and stakeholders to discuss solutions for sustainable development, climate action and inclusive growth. Over the past 25 years, WSDS has become an important forum in shaping the global sustainability narrative.About Terry The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), headquartered in India, is an independent, multi-dimensional research institution with capabilities in policy research, technology development and implementation. As an innovator and driver of change in the fields of energy, environment, climate change and sustainability, TERI has been leading conversation and action in these areas for nearly five years. Headquartered in New Delhi, it has centers in six cities across India and is supported by a multidisciplinary team of scientists, sociologists, economists, engineers, administrative professionals and state-of-the-art infrastructure.