The year when India's emissions trajectory peaks before it starts to dip is expected to influence the date from when the government will be ready to take on a cap in absolute terms on greenhouse gases under the 2015 agreement.

The government is also expected to commission a report on how the principle of equity would be embedded as a formula in the way emission reduction targets are distributed between different countries. In a third study, it would look to shape its own version of what the global agreement should look like. On the domestic front, the government is likely to look at what specific actions may be required by different ministries and industries to reduce emissions as part of its voluntary agenda.

The negotiations will conclude a new global regime under the existing UN convention by 2015, which is expected to re-distribute the burden of emission reduction across the 190 plus countries. In the negotiations so far, India has been steadfast that the primary responsibility of emission reductions sits with the developed nations and that the 'burden sharing' should be done on the principle of equity and common but differentiated responsibility.

Upon its insistence and that of other developing countries, the two principles have got enshrined as the basis for negotiations for the 2015 agreement. But the new compact would be expected to operationalise the principles through a formula that is acceptable to all countries.

The report on formulating equity would provide the government with options while the study on when the country's emissions will peak will help the government assess by which year it should be ready to take on absolute emission reduction cuts.

India's economic and emissions profiles put it in a unique position not only when compared with the developed world but also within emerging economies. It has one of the lowest per capita emissions even as its economy notches a substantial growth rate.

The absolute emissions of many developed countries have either peaked or are expected to do so in the near future - following the general trend of link between economic growth and emissions. India has for long argued that a fixed peaking year for all, regardless of their economic condition, is prejudicial to the development rights of developing countries for whom poverty eradication needs to be a priority.

On the domestic front, the government is likely to set up an expert group to assess which specific emission reduction actions under existing or revamped national action plans would help India achieve its commitments.

With the Planning Commission's low carbon growth study being stuck for long - incomplete and without support from key ministries - the government is now keen to undertake an exercise that will help build consensus within the government, work under the PM's executive committee on climate change and secure approval from the PM's council on climate change.

While these reports are not expected to be the final word on the government's strategy over the next two years, they would provide techno-legal guidance for the negotiations leading up to the final deal in 2015.