Publications

Preserving traditional land use through new livelihood methods in Zunheboto, Nagaland, India: Satoyama approach

Policy brief
| May 14, 2026

About the ProjectTERI is implementing a research project that seeks to protect and revitalise traditional land-use systems while opening new livelihood pathways for indigenous communities in Nagaland.Funded by the Japan Fund for Global Environment (JFGE) and implemented in partnership with Value Network Ventures (VNV) and the Mountains to Mangroves (MTM) Programme, the project draws inspiration from the global Satoyama Initiative.The project is being implemented in the villages of Sukhai, Kivikhu, and Ghukhuyi in Zunheboto District, Nagaland

Research Study on Retailer Behaviour and Psychology towards Returning Rigid Plastic Containers for Reuse

Policy brief
| May 13, 2026

This study examines the behavioural, perceptual, and operational factors influencing retailers, wholesalers, and distributors in returning rigid plastic containers for reuse, in line with India’s Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules and reuse targets. Conducted across six cities, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Dehradun, the research highlights that while rigid plastic packaging is widely preferred due to its durability, safety, and ease of handling, its effective recovery through formal reverse logistics systems remains limited.

Advanced Green Fuels for Maritime Application-Road Map for India

Policy brief
| May 13, 2026

DownloadThe report provides a comprehensive overview of global trends in alternative shipping fuel adoption and maritime energy transition, based on an analysis o

Study of occurrence, abundance, and characterization of microplastics in wastewater treatment plant in New Delhi, India

Research Paper
| May 13, 2026

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are considered the most significant contributors to microplastic (MP) pollution in aquatic ecosystems. MPs are defined as plastic particles less than 5 mm in size that are difficult to remove by WWTPs, posing risks to aquatic life, human health, and the overall ecosystem. This study investigates the prevalence of MPs in influent wastewater, treated effluent water, and sludge from WWTP. The samples were collected from Keshopur WWTP in New Delhi, whose effluents flows into the Yamuna River via Najafgarh drain.

Study on Implementation of Compensatory Afforestation in India

Policy brief
| May 12, 2026

DownloadThis report presents an evaluation of the concept of Compensatory Afforestation and its implementation across various states in India,

Artificial intelligence for restoring land: A review of land degradation mapping, climate change prediction and ecosystem service valuation

Research Paper
| May 11, 2026

Land degradation, climate change, and declining ecosystem services are increasingly interconnected challenges that threaten ecological integrity, agricultural productivity, and livelihood security across vulnerable landscapes. At the same time, advances in artificial intelligence (AI), remote sensing, geospatial analytics, and large environmental datasets are reshaping the way these challenges can be assessed, predicted, and managed.

Treethane in the Caulosphere: Unexplored Mechanisms and Climate Implication

Article
| May 7, 2026

Out of over 3 trillion trees globally, more than 40% occur in (sub)tropical settings that contribute to two-thirds of all natural CH4 emissions.

Future trends in short-duration rainfall: A statistical analysis using bias-corrected GCM ensembles

Research Paper
| May 1, 2026

High-intensity, short-duration rainfall can cause significant losses. These events are influenced by intricate and interrelated hydro-climatic interactions that are being modified due to climate change. These alternations in rainfall need to be accounted for in future development and design of hydrological systems. Climate model projections have been the primary tools for providing crucial information about the future climate.

Critical Mineral Security: The Circular Pathway

Policy brief
| April 29, 2026

This white paper seeks to reframe electronic waste (e-waste) not merely as an environmental challenge, but as a strategic opportunity for India’s resource and economic future. As the country accelerates its transition toward clean energy systems and digital expansion, the demand for critical minerals—such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements—is set to rise sharply.

Women Engagement and Empowerment in Sustainability: Lessons from Natural Farming in Rural Andhra Pradesh

Article
| April 27, 2026

As the world marks Earth Day under the theme 'Our Power, Our Planet', it is a moment to recognize that transformative climate action is not driven by policy alone, but by people. Across rural India, communities are shaping more sustainable futures through everyday choices rooted in care for land, health, and livelihoods. This story from Andhra Pradesh highlights how women, often at the heart of households and communities, are harnessing that power to build resilient food systems and restore balance between people and the planet.