Research Papers

Accelerating Water Action Agenda for Tackling Water Crisis in Urban India

Basu Avanti Roy, Sharma Brij Mohan, Sarkar S K, Bharat Girija K
| 2023

Developing countries face multiple challenges related to future uncertainties and pressures related to sustainable and resilient modes of urban water management. India with its enormous population and rapidly growing economy is severely facing issues related to water availability and management in urban areas, particularly in the megacities, which is further compounded by the effects of climate change and health emergencies like COVID-19.

Controlled release fertilizer delivery system derived from rice straw cellulose nanofibres: a circular economy based solution for sustainable development

Sharma Neha, Allardyce Benjamin James, Rajkhowa Rangam, Agrawal Ruchi
| 2023

Recently, the development of sustainable and environmentally friendly biomaterials has gained the attention of researchers as potential alternatives to petroleum-based materials. Biomaterials are a promising candidate to mitigate sustainability issues due to their renewability, biodegradability, and cost-effectiveness. Thus, the purpose of this study is to explore a cost-effective biomaterial-based delivery system for delivering fertilizers to plants. To achieve this, rice straw (agro-waste) was selected as a raw material for the extraction of cellulose.

Understanding TEK to Unravel a Unique Nestedness between Gene and Meme: A Case Study of Paudi Bhuyans of Northern Odisha

Kahlon Livleen K , Singh R.
| 2023

Traditional Ethnoecological Knowledge (TEK) is changing and diminishing with continuous change in land use, changing demographics and migration patterns. This paper elucidates plant related TEK among populations of one of the Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of India- Paudi Bhuyans. Populations of this tribe are now migrating downhills from their original habitation over hill tops in Keonjhar district to northern parts in Angul district, Odisha.

Circular Bioeconomy and SDGs: Proposals for the G20

Singh Mandavi , Kaushik Trinayana , Bhattacharjya Souvik , Kedia Shailly
| 2023

India is focused on recommitting the G20’s efforts to achieving the targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. With less than a decade left to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), an informed push, supported by an enabling policy environment, innovations, and implementation, is an urgent requirement. A circular bioeconomy can contribute to attaining 53 targets in 12 of the 17 SDGs. The G20 discussions so far have focused more on the circular economy in general or the circular carbon economy.

Puducherry Green Budget 2023-24

Dr Shailly Kedia, Palak Khanna, Sagaya Alfred, Kalamegam K, Balaji T

The Green Budget Report of the Union Territory of Puducherry for FY 2022-23 (baseline year) and FY 2023-2024 is a comprehensive document that outlines the green budget allocation, highlights sustainability initiatives, maps activities to promote environment-sensitive planning, accountability, aligns with the sustainable development goals, and provides valuable recommendations for departmental budgeting.

 

Transition Risk Management for Land-Based Climate Measures

Mishra Amlan , Chakravarty Smita , Bhadwal Suruchi
| 2023

At the 26th Conference of Parties in Glasgow, several countries set targets of achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions, with India committing to do so by 2070. Along with renewable energy generation and decarbonization, the land-use sector holds tremendous potential in contributing to the net-zero agenda in many developing countries. Any goal to upscale land-based climate interventions in these countries will need to be operationalized in the wider context of ensuring food security, reducing land and soil degradation, and improving land productivity and farmer livelihoods.

Intersectional Approaches to Promote Gender Equality

Chakravarty Smita , Mishra Amlan , Banerjee Soham
| 2023

Striving for gender equality and empowerment has been the focus of the G20 and its 2030 agenda. The impact of various historical, social, economic, and geographical factors have led to women being marginalized and excluded from the development process. Recognising the intersectionality of women’s vulnerability is critical to break them out from the cycle of systemic gender injustices. Learning from diverse experiences of how intersectionality compounds the vulnerability of women is necessary for designing policies that can contribute to a more inclusive economy.

A Framework for Enhancing International Climate Finance Flows

Shrivastava Manish Kumar , Rusnok David , Lupke Heiner , Neuhoff Karsten , Keen Samantha
| 2023

The mobilization and disbursement of climate finance at the scale and speed required to meet global targets is hindered by high cost of capital. At the root of this high cost are the perceived high risk of investment, institutional ambiguities across sectors and countries, and the fact that countries are politically accountable to their domestic stakeholders who may disapprove of such risk. Absent a transition from old business models to new low-carbon ones—a step that requires changes in the political economy—this perception will persist.

Promoting Gender-Inclusive Mobility

Paul Akshaya
| 2023

The provision of accessible urban transport solutions facilitates opportunities, including obtaining education and participating in economic activities. Yet, historically, urban transport planning has overlooked women’s mobility needs. The failure of mobility systems to respond to gender based evidence poses challenges and places constraints on women because of their greater dependence on public transport. Therefore, India, through the G20, should recognise women’s mobility requirements and engage them in decision-making processes to achieve gender-inclusive policy formulation.

Greening Cold Chain Infrastructure to Develop Global Food Corridors: Accelerating the Achievement of the 2030 Agenda

Dhawan Vibha , Murphy Amelia , Kleymeyer Ana Maria , Zaelke Durwood , Osho Zerin
| 2023

Each year, one-third of the total food for human consumption is either lost or wasted even as millions worldwide experience food insecurity. Similarly, over 25 percent of vaccines are wasted each year while millions die from vaccine-preventable illnesses Sustainable cold chain infrastructure can significantly reduce post-harvest food loss and vaccine wastage, and deliver social and climate benefits. However, acknowledging the need for cold storage alone does not ensure food security or access to vaccines, and must be supported by policies and resources, including technologies.