Category Environment, Energy, Climate Change and Sustainable Development

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.

Sustainability Benchmarking: A Comparison of the ESG Frameworks of Europe and India

Sustainability used to be just a trendy term in boardrooms, but has now become a regulatory must-have. Companies worldwide are being compelled to disclose their operation’s impact on people, the planet, and profits. The European Union's European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) are considered the most comprehensive ESG reporting framework, putting them at the forefront of this movement. The ESRS was implemented under the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). It establishes a high standard by mandating sustainability reporting, third-party assurance, and disclosures related to the entire value chain.

Beyond Green Buildings: Policy and Framework for Resilient, Circular Urban  Futures

Urban Concrete Fabric maybe getting greener on the outside, but the system remains unjust and unsustainable  at their core. Growing up in an Indian city shaped by constant construction, demolition, deforestation and  reinvention. I have witnesses firsthand, the contradictions of urban life. On one side new glass towers, boasted  solar panels, vertical gardens and energy efficient facades. On the other, entire communities were being displaced,  public land was commodified and waste piled up in forgotten corners of the city. Even as the language of green development grew louder, so did inequality, congestion and ecological degradation.

Bridging Policy and Practice: A Youth Perspective on Environmental Governance in India

In recent years, the conversation around climate change and environmental degradation has gained  urgency across policy platforms. Yet, despite growing awareness, India continues to grapple with a  paradox: while environmental regulations exist on paper, their translation into effective action often  falls short. During my time as a fellow under the Environmental Policy and Action Youth Fellowship  (EPAYF) at IMPRI, I had the opportunity to deeply reflect on this gap between policy and  implementation, particularly in the context of natural resource governance. 

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