Category Center for Environment, Climate Change and Sustainable Development

Between Heatwaves and Policy Gaps: Climate Justice and  Adaptation in Delhi’s Informal Settlements

Delhi has been one of the hottest cities in India during the last several years. In 2024 alone, there were  days when the capital reached 45°C or more which set off warnings about health problems and increased  energy use. Even so, people are not all affected in the same way by this environmental problem. For  those living in slums in Delhi, heatwaves mean more than unusual heat—they bring endangerment  which can be blamed on both the city’s poor infrastructure and policy problems

Shifting Livelihoods in Rural India: From Fields to Cities

Agriculture has long been the backbone of rural India, not merely as a livelihood but as a  cultural identity. Yet, in recent decades, this foundation has begun to shift. Although agriculture  still employs over 45% of India’s workforce, its dominance has declined sharply from around  70% a few decades ago. The rural economy is diversifying, but this transformation is marked  more by distress than opportunity.

Everyday Sustainabilities: Rural Women and Everyday Environmental Action

Why do India’s climate debates focus so heavily on grand-scale actions, think carbon targets and green tech while ignoring the quiet, daily  efforts of rural women? These women, especially in tribal and village communities, practice  environmental conservation not out of policy mandates but through tradition, necessity, and a  deep connection to the land. Yet their contributions go unremarked in mainstream discussions.  Inspired by this gap, I set out to document their stories, drawing on my sociological lens to  highlight the gendered dimension of sustainability.

Depths of Concern: An Inquiry on Deep Sea Mining and Ocean Governance

Harnessing energy from any and every deemed resource since time immemorial, humankind has always sought to better its civilizations. We have tilled the land, turned over Earth's face, dammed rivers, extracted fuel, and new frontiers keep showing up as potential reserves. Land-based minerals have proved phenomenal, driving development by powering economies and enabling technological innovation. As with every venture of humanity, by its standards and definitions of progress through metrics, the repercussions to the planet have been inevitable. Terrains once lush have been scarred hitherto, still leaching toxins and contaminants into their surroundings, and social conflicts are imminent for the communities that once lived there.

Small Towns, Big Emissions: Why South Asia’s Unsung Urban Areas Deserve Climate  Attention 

When discussing climate change, we often picture smoky skylines of megacities or vast  industrial complexes. But beneath the radar, small towns in South Asia are quietly making their  mark on the planet's greenhouse gas (GHG) ledger, and not in a good way. 

Across several urban centers in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh, the water, sanitation, and hygiene  (WASH) sector is responsible for a significant share of emissions - ranging between a sixth and a  third of the towns’ total GHG output.

Climate Adaptation at the Grassroots: The Untapped Power of Gram Panchayat Development  Plans 

Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) are a decentralized body of local self-governance. Through mechanisms  such as the Gram Sabha and the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP), Panchayats are empowered  to design and implement village-level plans focused on economic development and social justice. Today,  the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) offers a powerful opportunity to build climate resilience  through grassroots-level planning. By incorporating climate adaptation activities such as watershed  management, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy integration, GPDPs can effectively address  local climate risks. Recognizing this potential requires strengthening the capacities of Panchayats through  targeted training, technical assistance, and better coordination with schemes like MGNREGA and NRLM.  This will empower them to lead climate-resilient development at the grassroots level. 

Gun Vadung(Imphal river) within Kangpokpi District, Manipur: Lifeline of Gunhom Area In  Kangpokpi and Its Hidden Struggles 

The Gun Vadung River, locally known as the Imphal River, originates near Kangpokpi town in Manipur  and flows southward through the district. It passes through several key areas, running from  Kangpokpi town to Gamgiphai near Motbung, before eventually entering the Imphal Valley. Along its  journey, the river and its tributaries serve as more than just natural water channels—they are vital  lifelines for the communities they touch. The Gun Vadung supports agriculture, which is the  backbone of local livelihoods, by supplying much-needed water for irrigation during both planting  and harvesting seasons.

Talk to Us