The evolving metabolism of a developing economy — Insight from India´s growth

Traditionally, both regional and national development practices have focused mainly on the economic aspects, with more emphasis metrics like gross domestic product (GDP). Along with monetary growth it is also important to account for physical growth due to increased use of resource and environmental impacts due to emission and resource extraction. National metabolism studies of several economies have been used for enhancing the resource use and reducing environmental impact. Aim of this work is to give an understanding of the metabolism of India over the last four decades as it evolved from a controlled to more open free market economy, and its implication for sustainable development. Trends of resource consumption and its conversion into useful work are analyzed using exergy analysis and the results are compared with those of other developing and developed economies. This work also focuses on the conversion of resources to useful work with change in technology, industrialization and economic liberalization.