The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI]

Humanity is facing an increasing threat of global warming and climate change, making it important for institutions and governments to come together to develop sustainable ways of living.

A pioneer in this idea, The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI] was set up in 1974 with the motive to create energy-efficient systems and develop sustainable energy.

In this article, we will explore all the details about The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI] and how it is playing an important role in India's green energy sector -

What is The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI]?

• Established in 1974 by Mr Darbari Seth, The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI] is an independent body that works on researching and developing energy-efficient and renewable products and processes
• It is a non-profit research institute that aims to focus on formulating strategies and research work in the fields of energy, environment, and sustainable development
• The critical focus of TERI is to promote renewable energy, waste management, energy-efficient products, pollution management, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience
• TERI was initially known as the Tata Energy Research Insitute, with its initial operations in the Bombay House, Mumbai. It later moved to Delhi, which is now its headquarters, and also has a global presence with centres in Tokyo, Japan, Washington DC, USA, London, UK, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• In 2011, Princess Maxima of the Netherlands opened the European headquarters of TERI in Utrecht, Netherlands

Initiatives by The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI]

Some of the key initiatives by The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI] include -

• Lighting a Billion Lives (LaBL): To provide clean lighting access to those from the marginalised communities
• Green Olympiad: An annual event for middle and high-school students associated with the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change
• Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA): A national rating tool for green buildings in India developed along with the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
• World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS): An annual summit that hosts global leaders to provide a platform to discuss and exchange knowledge on diverse aspects of sustainable energy development

The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI] Current Situation

Since its founding in New Delhi, The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI] has expanded its reach with regional centres and campuses across India, the major ones being Gurugram, Bengaluru, Guwahati, Mumbai, Panaji, and Nainital.

The organisation has a 750+ team of scientists, sociologists, economists, and engineers working to create smart, sustainable, and inclusive developments across sectors.

The use of green mobility solutions and renewable energy pathways is important for India to keep up with its growing energy demand while ensuring low carbon emissions and adherence to climate change regulations.

The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI] and other organisations focusing on renewable and green energy programs play an important role in enabling India to achieve this goal, making it essential for the government to promote and encourage it in the broader sector.

FAQs on The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI]

Q.1. Is The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI] a government institute?

According to a response to the Delhi High Court, The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI] is not a government institute but a private entity. However, the institute receives a vast amount of funding from the central government.

On behalf of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of External Affairs, and the Bureau of Energy Efficiency, the nature of the relationship between these ministries and TERI is purely project-based and contractual.

Q.2. What is the mission of The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI]?

The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI] states, TERI's mission is to usher transitions to a cleaner and sustainable future through the conservation and efficient use of energy and other resources and innovative ways of minimising and reusing waste.”

The institute is working towards this goal by developing green mobility solutions, enhancing energy efficiency, exploring renewable energy pathways, and creating an ecosystem of sustainable products to tackle the adverse effects of climate change.

Q.3. Who is the owner of The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI]?

The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI] was founded by Mr Darbari Seth and was registered in Delhi in 1974.

Q.4. Does Tata own The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI]?

The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI] was an idea proposed by Darbari Seth, who was then an engineer in the Tata group. He was concerned about the enormous quantities of energy his factory spent on desalination and proposed an idea of a research institute to tackle the depletion of natural resources and energy scarcity.

The then chairman of TATA Group, JRD Tata, was impressed with the idea and provided TERI with a modest corpus of Rs. 35 million to be set up. It was registered in 1974 as the Tata Energy Research Institute, only to be renamed The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI] in 2003, given its widening scope of activities and international presence.

Q.5. Where is the headquarters of The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI]?

The Energy and Resource Institute [TERI] headquarters is situated in New Delhi, while it has regional centres and field sites in India and all over the world.