India aims to ramp up its installed non-fossil fuel energy capacity to 500 GW by 2030. This will mean that by 2030, 50 per cent of India’s installed capacity would be ‘clean’ energy. At a time when energy demand is set to soar and millions still don’t have access to power, there is a three-fold challenge facing the country: to augment the power infrastructure, make it clean, and supply reliable electricity at affordable rates. Will the ambitious steps that India is taking on building up its renewable and non-fossil fuel energy systems help it surmount this challenge? This publication offers a bird’s eye view of the sector, its promise and the perils and pitfalls that it confronts.
This report brings together some of India’s best practices in the management of municipal solid waste. Surveyed and assessed by a team of on-field researchers, these practices and initiatives inform us about the unique challenges that cities and towns in India face, and offer both specific as well as general lessons, each valuable in its own right.
Open dumpsites and landfills are significant contributors of anthropogenic methane gas. Since a considerable portion of waste in India is biodegradable, municipal solid waste when disosed of in dumpsites or landfills, emits methane for years, even if the landfill is scientifically closed. The global warming potential of methane is 28 times higher than that of carbon dioxide. While emissions from the oil and gas sector have received adequate attention, the waste sector also requires urgent intervention. The present report argues that quantities of methane emission from all the dumpsites across the country should be assessed based on the ground data. It also provides an insight on mitigation strategies for minimizing methane emissions from dumpsites by biomining and bioremediation, and by ensuring scientific treatment of municipal solid waste generated across the country.
Floods are quite common in South Asia, with India being the second-worst flood-affected country in the world. Floods do not just occur due to overflowing rivers, they are also caused by the uninformed manner in which cities are interfering with the natural water cycle. The study is aimed at understanding the potential and challenges of current practices of stormwater management and thereby suggesting approaches which focus on lowering the hydrological impact of urbanization in Indian cities. The first part of the report focuses on the guiding research question—What are the existing planning approaches and infrastructural provisions for stormwater management in Indian cities? The second part of the report suggests approaches as per the existing spatial urban characteristics. The planning approach recommended makes use of stormwater as a resource rather than a liability.
In a rapidly urbanising India, the construction sector is emerging as a significant contributor to air pollution as well as a massive consumer of material resources. India’s resource extraction rate stands at 1,580 tonne per acre compared to the world average of 450 t/acre. The National Clean Air Programme mandates that the 131 non-attainment cities in India must reduce their particulate pollution by 40 per cent by 2026. Construction and demolition (C&D) waste management has, therefore, become integral to all efforts to cap pollution levels. This CSE review shows that most cities lack institutional preparedness to carry out systematic and scientific management of C&D waste. Pace of adoption of the C&D Waste Management Rules, 2016 is slow, and there are gaps in implementation. Strong guidance is needed to deepen understanding of the system design and strategies for implementation.
The study rests on the premise that poverty is multidimensional and the current estimates do not adequately capture the multidimensionality of poverty in the urban population. Present studies on multidimensional poverty not only underestimate multidimensional poverty but also miss key domains of urban poverty. To fill this gap, the study was proposed. Initial work towards this was carried out from April 2019 to March 2020. During this period, a structured instrument was developed and pilot tested in over 50 households in Mumbai, secondary analysis was carried out and the sampling frame was developed and sampling units were identified. The present report covers sample design, the structured instrument for the survey and a report based on the secondary analysis.
The Bengaluru Climate Action and Resilience Plan (BCAP) foregrounds human wellbeing in the city’s fight against climate change through its commitment to tackle contributors and impact of climate change with equal priority, both of which have profound consequence on shaping Bengaluru’s transition to a future that is just, resilient, inclusive and equitable. BCAP acknowledges that the window of opportunity for securing a livable future for Bengaluru is rapidly closing and the choices we make today will determine the choices we leave for future citizens of Bengaluru. BCAP sets ambitious goals for mitigating GHG emissions (in line with the commitment given by the Govt of India to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) and enhance Bengaluru’s resilience by propelling adjustments in ecological, social or economic systems of the city in response to risks posed by climate change.
In August 2021, the Government of Maharashtra, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), launched the planning process for the city’s first ever climate action plan. With technical support from the C40 Cities network and World Resources Institute India (WRI India), the Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP) highlights the need for urgent climate action and envisions a safer, healthier and inclusive city for all.
In India, at the national level, climate change planning synthesizes the State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs). The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has formulated a common framework for revision of SAPCC in 2019, directing States to envisage inclusive and sustainable development along with climate-resilient low-carbon development. The Kerala SAPCC 2.0 is based on this common framework. A core group of 220 nodal officers from 91 sectoral stakeholder departments through three tiers of consultation sessions has helped to devise this Action Plan. The SAPCC Revision Team coordinated the entire planning exercise at the Directorate of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Kerala. The Action Plan has adopted improved climate model projections and vulnerability assessments to suggest strategies, actions, and monitoring mechanisms.
Praja’s 2024 Whitepaper on Civic Facilities analyses civic data on public toilets, community toilets, as well as water and air pollution levels. Ground reality presents a concerning picture of these facilities which ensure the fundamental right to health and life for all citizens.
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) is the first ever time-bound, target-oriented clean air programme with performance-linked funding strategy for cities. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) has carried out this rapid review to understand the gaps and further needs for a more robust and expanded programme. This assessment finds that in the next phase it is necessary to shift the focus towards implementation of priority action in key sectors of pollution at a scale and link the performancelinked funding with targeted milestones. The metrics of performance assessment should change accordingly. Only this can make a difference to air quality
According to various projections, the Indian urban level should have reached 31% to 31.5% by 2001; however, the actual levels were far lower, only crossing the 31% mark a decade later in 2011. Although the rate of growth is still slow, the accretion to the Indian urban population in the first 30 years of this century—about 300 million—will surpass that of the whole previous one hundred years. This illustrates the magnitude of the problems that we need to face in terms of our policies related to urban development. This paper explores the reasons behind India’s slow urbanisation and its broader implications for economic growth, governance, and sustainable development. It also outlines critical policy actions needed to address these challenges.
Mumbai is hailed as the ‘city of dreams’. People across India, look towards Mumbai with an aspiration for better economic possibilities and, thus, a better life. The city is home to 1.92 crore citizens, and over 80 lakh commuters travel to the city every day to fulfil their economic and educational needs. Hygienic and healthy urban life is essential for such a large population to nurture their productivity and effectively participate in the city's economy.
Mumbai, home to 12 million people and thriving on a diverse economy, is facing increasing climate-induced risks such as sea-level rise and extreme weather events. Making climate change a priority, Mumbai signed the C40 Cities Deadline 2020 commitment, that aligns with the Paris Agreement, to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to net zero by 2050. Mumbai’s commitments also support the Government of India in achieving the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and are in line with the Government of Maharashtra’s Majhi Vasundhara Abhiyaan, the Race2Zero campaign and other welcome policy initiatives towards sustainable and climate resilient development in Maharashtra. In August 2021, the Government of Maharashtra, and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), launched the planning process for the city’s first ever climate action plan. With technical support from the C40 Cities network and World Resources Institute India (WRI India), the Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP) highlights the need for urgent climate action and envisions a safer, healthier and inclusive city for all.
Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) launched Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) as a nation-wide Campaign for achieving universal accessibility for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) on December 3,2015. It has three important verticals, namely - the Build Environment, the transportation sector and the ICT ecosystem.
The ADIP Scheme is in operation since 1981 with the main objective to assist the needy disabled persons in procuring durable, sophisticated and scientifically manufactured, modern, standard aids and appliances that can promote their physical, social and psychological rehabilitation by reducing the effects of disabilities and enhance their economic potential.
Guidelines for Providing Financial Assistance under the National Fund for Persons with Disabilities
The National Trust is preparing a registry/directory of all the NGOs/Voluntary Organizations working for the welfare of persons with Autism, Cerberal Palsy, Inellectual Disability and Multiple Disabilities FOR PUBLIC REFERRAL.
Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, way back in February 2013, launched Child Health Screening and Early Intervention Services initiative under the umbrella of the then National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) to provide targeted, comprehensive care to children aged 0-18 years.
NHFDC provides financial assistance in the form of loan to the target group for purchase of assistive devices like screen reader, motorized tricycle, scooty, hearing aid etc. to enhance their employability/improve the prospects of self employment.
India’s Premier Conference on Creating Assistive Technology Solutions 13 – 15 Oct 2022
There is a large, unmet need for assistive technology worldwide. The Global Report on Assistive Technology was developed in response to the World Health Assembly resolution (WHA71.8) on improving access to assistive technology adopted in May 2018. The Global Report is expected to play an instrumental role in setting the global roadmap for improving access to assistive technology for everyone, everywhere.
Suggested citation: Gupta, Niti, Shanal Pradhan, Abhishek Jain and Nayha Patel. 2021. Sustainable Agriculture in India 2021 – What we know and how to scale up. New Delhi: Council on Energy, Environment and Water.
India is growing at a rapid pace and so is the use of technology in the growing sectors of the country. A major mass of the population is still dependent and practicing agriculture as its primary source of income. India has been in a continuous tryst with its farming infra, practices and associated communities since independence.
With an aim to optimize farm-to-market processes, increase farmer revenue and re-align the farmer-government-industry supply chain, Cisco leverages a wide range of modern technologies like big data, data science, field sensor management, satellite data processing, GIs, among others.
Deadline on Feb 5th 2022 | Sign-up now on the TFF Digital Labs. Innovators across the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region are invited to share their innovative solutions to transform food systems.
Farmers need right-sized technology. Steering tech innovation towards small-scale farming solutions while promoting strong, local food economies across California.
The Agrobiodiversity Innovation Challenge is seeking innovators driven by a passion for solving challenges in the agri-food sector by utilizing or conserving agrobiodiversity.
Collectives for Integrated Livelihood Initiatives (CInI), a nodal agency of Tata Trusts, has brought about change on a large scale in Central India.
Farmers in Andhra Pradesh are forgoing chemical pesticides in favor of natural methods, and everyone is reaping the rewards.