Low-carbon pathways for small communities: A multidimensional framework and a village-scale demonstration

Abstract

Small communities account for approximately 43% of the global population. Yet they remain underrepresented in operational decarbonization frameworks. Existing frameworks are predominantly urban-centric, sector-specific, and conceptual, lacking community-level validation and a coherent rationale for initiating decarbonization in small communities. This study develops an integrated framework structured around six interconnected pillars: (1) GHG inventory and digital monitoring, reporting, and verification (dMRV) systems; (2) sectoral mitigation roadmaps; (3) financing and carbon market integration; (4) capacity building and inclusion; (5) governance and institutional coordination; and (6) just transition safeguards. The steps for inventory, resource assessment, and pathway design under the developed framework have been demonstrated through a case study of Chiryapur Village, a displaced tribal community located in the Indo-Gangetic Plain of India. Using IPCC Tier-1 methodology and AR5 GWP 100 values, baseline emissions were estimated at 3178 tCO 2 e/year, with the energy sector as the largest contributor (50.8%), followed by AFOLU (35.7%), waste (11.0%), and IPPU (2.5%). A two-phase low-carbon pathway that includes community-scale biogas production, pyrolysis, rooftop solar, and the conversion of a vertical-shaft brick kiln was assessed to reduce/eliminate fossil fuel use. The analyzed pathway could reduce community baseline emissions by approximately 48%, directly supporting SDG7 (affordable and clean energy) and SDG11 (sustainable cities and communities). With a combined payback period of 3.7 years, the proposed intervention would generate about $99,300 in annual revenue and savings. This case study demonstrates the practical application of the inventory, resource assessment, and modeled pathway in a single village and presents an evidence-based pathway for accelerating decarbonization in small communities. However, the wider applicability of the proposed framework would require multi-site implementation and evaluation.