CATEGORIES

Pioneering Climate Finance in India TCCL Helping India to Realize its Climate Goals

Climate Finance has always been viewed as a public sector initiative. India's ambitious plans were constrained by the inadequate capacity of such institutions to meet the agility, innovation, and deep understanding required to finance dynamic cleantech sector. TCCL has played an important role in mainstreaming of emerging sectors such as solar rooftop, energy efficiency, electric mobility, and water treatment. TCCL has been able to do this by developing a profound understanding of the rapidly evolving sector including technical, commercial, regulatory, contractual, and E&S expertise. In this succinct article, Manish Chourasia says about challenges to crowd-in capital from global north and role of TCCL in channelizing these funds.

India's G20 Presidency Delineating Economic and Emissions Growth and Promoting Energy Transition

G20 presidency serves as a big opportunity for India, to raise this challenge that emerging markets face, around delinking economic and emissions growth and promoting energy transition, and garnering suitable solutions from the global community in terms of finance and technology. Towards this, it may focus on scaling up risk mitigation mechanisms, financing mechanisms, Just Transition, integrating a risk-return-impact lens, and creating an enabling ecosystem. This insightful article by Namita Vikas looks further into each of these areas.

India's Leadership at the G20 - All Nations to Benefit from India's Stewardship

In this stimulating article, Aarti Khosla highlights that the G20 mantle allows India the opportunity to influence the energy track discussions, while emphasizing the need for energy security and demonstrating rapid investment in clean energy goals.

International Year Of Millets - Renewed Focus On Nutrition Storehouse

The United Nations General Assembly at its 75th session in March 2021 declared 2023 the International Year of Millets (IYM 2023). In this article, Livleen K Kahlon says that with the UNGA declaring 2023 as the International Year of Millets, there's a renewed focus on these nutritious grains. This move will serve best in the interest of developing countries, where almost 97 per cent of global millet production happens. But, it is going to take a lot of effort to change the mindset and lifestyles of consumers towards a millet-positive diet.

Banyan Tree - Enjoy the Majesty and Mystery of this Tree of Life

Banyan trees are one of the most iconic and well-known tree species in the world. In fact, January 17 is celebrated as Banyan Tree Day. In this article, Dr Elsa Lycias Joel says cities need more banyan trees since they recharge the depleting groundwater table. Let's forget the inherent challenges that come with managing an unseen resource such as groundwater and start conserving and nurturing banyan trees.

Mangrove and its People - Observing through the Sustainability Lens

In this article, Rangeet Mitra says mangroves are the only natural remedy for the people of Sundarbans in West Bengal state in India. Restoring mangroves will save the people and environment of Sundarbans.

Look Who's Been Found! Some New Species Found in 2022

Amidst the disheartening news all around, 2022 brought forth some sightings to cheer. Benita Sen hopes 2023 will bring us more to be happy about.

LM Wind Power Produces 50,000th Wind Turbine Blade in India

LM Wind Power, a GE Renewable Energy business, has completed the production of the 50,000th wind turbine blade in India. The blade was built at LM Wind Power's manufacturing site in Vadodara, Gujarat.

Tigers for a Healthy Tomorrow - Securing Safer Havens for Wild Tigers

India is home to the magnificent big cat-tiger. WWF-India began tiger conservation in the early 1970s by providing support to Project Tiger by the Govt. of India-the first-ever tiger conservation programme in the world.

First-Ever Domestication of Cats With Invention of Agriculture

Cat genes reveal how invention of agriculture bonded cats with people in ancient Mesopotamia, leading to worldwide feline migration with humans.

Pomegranate Genome Sequence - Application and Usage

With the aim of generating genomic wealth to support accelerated pomegranate improvement programme, the genome sequencing programme was initiated at ICAR-NRCP in 2015-16. The ICARNRCP has assembled a reference-quality genome (346.08 Mb) of pomegranate variety Bhagawa consisting of only 342 scaffolds with an average N50 value of 16.12 Mb. Read on to know more about this pioneering study...

Producing 'Green' Hydrogen Through Seawater Split

Researchers have successfully split seawater without pre-treatment to produce green hydrogen. \"We used seawater as a feedstock without the need for any pre-treatment processes like reverse osmosis desolation, purification, or alkalization,\" said Associate Professor Zheng. The team published their research in the journal Nature Energy.

Revolutionizing the World of Yachting - GOIOT Becomes Technology Partner of the MODX 70 Catamaran Series

The new MODX-catamaran brand, created by Océan Développement, is honoured to welcome GOIOT as the official technology supplier of the new MODX 70 catamaran series. Arnaud Leblais, Managing Director of GOIOT Systems, tells us about the common vision that drives the collaboration.

Potters in Delhi - A Survival Issue and a Way Out

Potters shape soft clay either by pinching it with their fingers or turning it on a wheel while pulling and squeezing the moving clay. Sarita Brara says that today the potters who have been making these clay objects for generations face a number of difficulties putting a question mark on their survival. Clay used by the potters that was easily available in the villages, has become expensive today and so also its transportation. Read on to know more...

Traffic Pollution Impairs Brain Function - Even Brief Exposure has Rapid Impacts

A new study has shown that common levels of traffic pollution can impair human brain function in only a matter of hours. The study was the first to show in a controlled experiment using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) that exposure to diesel exhaust disrupts the ability of different areas of the human brain to interact and communicate with each other. This first-in-the-world study suggests that even brief exposure to air pollution has rapid impacts on the brain.

Cities as Global Actors - Enhancing Urban Leadership at G20

When countries negotiate climate action at high profile international forums, local perspectives and leadership largely remain on the sidelines. In this article, Rhea Srivastava says that with the UN estimating that by 2050, 75 per cent of the world's population will be living in urban areas, the interplay between the local and global will get more complex, and the global influence of local leadership and governance will only grow.

Space Dust As Earth's Sun Shield

On a cold winter day, the warmth of the sun is welcome. Yet, as humanity emits more and more greenhouse gases, the Earth’s atmosphere traps more and more of the sun’s energy and steadily increases the Earth’s temperature. One strategy for reversing this trend is to intercept a fraction of sunlight before it reaches our planet. For decades, scientists have considered using screens, objects or dust particles to block just enough of the sun’s radiation—between 1 or 2 per cent—to mitigate the effects of global warming.

River Cruises in India Time to Strike a Fine Balance

In this article, Anita Khuller says river cruises in India could threaten endangered Ganges dolphin. River cruises could have substantial adverse effects on the riverine ecosystem in future. As long as the Ganga river system is healthy, the dolphin will survive. But over the past several decades, there has been a thin line separating development and conservation. Read on to know more...

BaaS (Batteries as a Service)

The electrification of Indian mobility is happening at a remarkable pace—the India Energy Storage Alliance IESA) projects that the electric vehicle EV) market in India is expected to achieve a CAGR of 49 per cent in the 2021-2030 period. But these projections could remain just on paper if policymakers do not actively take steps to overcome the roadblocks on the electric highways. In this article, Dhruv Verma says that if executed well, battery swapping can be the greatest impetus to EV adoption, benefitting manufactures, consumers, and the environment.

A Peek into Pench A Travelogue

This article by Harshad Sambamurthy has been written in the form of a travelogue on Pench. Colloquially referred to as‘Mowgli-land’ Pench is named after the river that flows through it. It is India’s only tiger reserve that stretches across two states Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra). Read on to know more...

Sustainability in the Face of Climate Change A Training Programme by Watershed Organisation Trust (WOTR)

WOTR is organizing a 4-day Training on Climate Resilient Agriculture CRA) Practices for Ecosystem-based Adaptation EbA) in Semi-Arid Regions wherein participants will be equipped with a deep understanding of organic fertilizers and biopesticides, as well as integrated pest management IPM), integrated nutrient management INM), and system of crop intensification SCI) techniques for sustainable agriculture.

Rising Air Pollution in Delhi The Potential Solutions

In this article, Suyash Gupta tries to find answer to the question that what Delhi can really do to moderate and reduce the rising air pollution levels!

Water Conservation in Rural India Adopting Nature-Based Solution with a Sustainable Approach

In this article, Niharika Singh and Amit Kumar Thakur highlight that when issues such as water scarcity, less agricultural yield, decline in groundwater levels, etc., are highlighted in the communities, Corporate Social Responsibility CSR) projects can be designed on the need and demand basis. With this vision, several different CSR initiatives are being implemented on-ground after identifying the possible interventions on need-basis. One such intervention can be rejuvenating the water bodies accounting many advantages and benefitting the rural communities.

Tackling Long COVID With Strategic Management

In this article, Gajanan Khergamker says that a range of long COVID-19 symptoms were detected in humans across borders following the two-year-long COVID-19 pandemic. The data on long COVID is still evolving, and more research is needed to fully understand its prevalence and impact. However, it is estimated that a significant proportion of individuals who have had COVID-19 may experience ongoing symptoms for weeks or even months after initial recovery from acute illness.

Mainstreaming Climate-Resilient Water and Sanitation Infrastructure For Long Lasting Impacts

In this article, Manisha Jain and Dr Kriti Akansha highlight that it is necessary to support long-term thinking, transformation, flexibility and innovation while taking the associated climate risks into consideration to attain climate resilience. There is a need for a robust framework that ensures climate policies are integrated into all sectors and that planning, implementation, and evaluation are strictly followed.

Solar Radiation Modification Potential to Offset Warming and Ameliorate Climate Hazards

The Carnegie Climate Governance Initiative C2G) is a foundation-funded initiative of the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. C2G seeks to catalyse the creation of effective governance for climate-altering technologies, in particular for solar radiation modification. Here, we are in conversation with Janos Pasztor, Executive Director, C2G for TerraGreen.

Novel Policy Considerations For a Global Net-Zero

In this article, Ram Ramprasad suggests some novel policy considerations and highlights that as climate disasters accelerate, it is time for countries to unite and fight the battle against global warming. The urgent need is to increase whale populations, grow more forests, and repair our soil.

Urban Gardens

Good for Ecosystems and Humans

Traditional Agriculture for Sustainable Development

A Satoyama Approach

Climate Actions For Businesses - How Big Should These Be?

When we talk and act on climate action and the energy transition in emerging economies, the discussion can range from topics such as climate mitigation, adaptation, energy transition, financing, and business model innovation to next generation technologies. In this article, Biba Jasmine says that given the current debate and discourse around net zero and carbon neutrality, it is important to pause for a moment and reflect on whether companies need to realign their purpose to serve a more holistic set of stakeholders—including the environment— and leverage additional channels to demonstrate their commitment to more sustainable activities along the value chain. It stands to reason to ask what companies can—and must—do to make progress towards a low-carbon economy.