Nikita Shukla
Research Associate, Climate Policy
Nikita Shukla is a Research Associate in the Climate Policy vertical at the Sustainable Futures Collaborative. Her research delves into the intricacies of domestic and international climate policy, with a particular emphasis on energy-economic modelling, climate finance, carbon markets, and industrial decarbonisation. Before SFC, Nikita worked as an energy modeller and a researcher at the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) on building long-term decarbonisation strategies for the state of Gujarat. She also co-authored a chapter on “Mitigation” in the report on Assessment of the G20 Members’ Long-Term Strategies. Nikita holds a Masters in Public Policy and Governance from the Azim Premji University, Bengaluru and an undergraduate degree in Biotechnology from Institute of Applied Medicines and Research, Delhi.
Publications
Issue Briefs
Climate Policy
What Does Net-Zero Mean? Defining Goals Aligned With National Contexts
Nikita Shukla, Aman Srivastava, and Easwaran J. Narassimhan
21 July 2025
This issue brief outlines key considerations that can help shape a comprehensive definition of net-zero emissions for India, not by prescribing implementation strategies, but by deconstructing net-zero targets by their constituent elements necessary for clarity, comparability, and accountability.
Blogs
Climate Policy
Navigating India’s Climate Futures Requires a Nuanced and Transparent Approach to Modelling
Nikita Shukla, Aman Srivastava, Easwaran J Narassimhan
14 April 2025
Insights from emissions-economy modelling studies are only as reliable as the methods used to generate them. We present a framework to assess, compare, and interpret the structures and implications of these studies, aiming to spark critical dialogue and foster understanding in India.
Blogs
Climate Policy
Unpacking COP29’s NCQG: What Happened, Why, and What Now?
Aman Srivastava, Nikita Shukla
22 December 2024
The NCQG outcome at COP29 has been criticised for not meeting climate finance needs and shifting responsibility from developed nations. This blog explores where it missed the mark, whether developed countries have a defence, and how future COPs can improve climate finance delivery.
Issue Briefs
Climate Policy
Ratcheting Ambition in Climate Finance: Key Challenges and Goals for COP29
Nikita Shukla, Aman Srivastava, and Easwaran J. Narassimhan
8 November 2024
An overview of key issues to watch in discussions on the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG), including the role and relevance of the NCQG, strategies for effective implementation, and implications of the outcome for broader climate diplomacy.