Research Papers

Strengthening Health System Responses to Climate Risks in Multilateral Processes

Bajpai Sakshi , Sisira P, Chakravarty Smita , Mishra Amlan, Bhadwal Suruchi
| 2023

Climate change, identified by the World Health Organization as the biggest health threat of the 21st century, has wide-ranging impacts on human health and well-being. These include direct effects like heatwaves from rising temperatures, and indirect effects such as respiratory disorders from air pollution. Economic consequences include increased unemployment, financial stress, and social inequalities. Additionally, global health systems face significant risks, such as the emergence of new diseases, frequent extreme weather events, and heightened vulnerability to existing health challenges.

Reformed MDBs for a Just Energy Transition in Emerging Economies

Banerjee Soham , Mishra Amlan , Ace Tristan
| 2023

Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) are potentially an important source of finance for low-carbon transition pathways and just transition in the emerging economies. However, there is increasing concern among the developing countries that MDBs are unable to mobilise adequate finance to be in line with the global goals. The G20 injected a huge momentum towards reforming MDBs’ operations by commissioning an independent review of their Capital Adequacy Framework (CAF), which primarily defines their capacity to leverage shareholder’s capital contribution for financing.

Low Carbon Development Pathways for Cooling: Leveraging Kigali Amendment Across Residential Applications

Dhawan Vibha , Shah Nihar , Dreyfus Gabrielle , Zaelke Durwood , Osho Zerin , Murphy Amelia , Seth Sanjay
| 2023

Heating and cooling demand for space conditioning and refrigeration accounts for around a fifth of global final energy consumption. Climate change, urbanisation, and economic development have tripled electricity demand for cooling alone since the 1990s, with the majority coming from the use of inefficient cooling equipment, which burdens electricity grids, especially during the peak hours. It is imperative to address the energy required to provide cooling.

From Planning to Action: Rethinking the Role of Cities in Accelerating Net-Zero Transitions

Seth Sanjay ,Srivastava Rhea ,Osho Zerin ,Harper Sarah
| 2023

Cities are responsible for over 70 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions and 75 percent of primary energy consumption. By 2050, over two-thirds of the world population will live in cities, resulting in even greater infrastructure needs and increased carbon emissions. Yet, cities largely remain on the side-lines in the design of national and international green transition policies. Cities can combine policy, practice, and participation by leveraging innovation, technology, and partnerships while transforming local governance models.

Nanomaterials for enhancing photosynthesis: interaction with plant photosystems and scope of nanobionics in agriculture

Mony Chanchal, Kaur Pawan ,Rookes James E. , Callahan Damien L. , Eswaran S. V. , Yang Wenrong , Manna Palash Kumar
| 2023

The complex process of photosynthesis requires precise arrangements of light harvesting molecules in the photosynthetic system. Artificial imitation of such reaction systems is difficult as they involve complex protein structures. Global population increase and the associated rise in demand for food have become a vital concern in the present and therefore it is essential to develop methods to improve agricultural yields, enhancing photosynthesis could be key to this.

Empowering Subnational Approaches through Multilateralism to Combat Climate Change

Mishra Amlan , Biswas Dorothy Ashmita, Goel Shubhi , Chakravarty Smita , Banerjee Soham
| 2023

Dialogues on climate issues, including the various multilateral agreements, have largely been driven by traditional state-tostate diplomacy. Nevertheless, over the years, new diplomatic players, such as cities, public institutions, and other subnational entities, are gaining signifi cant importance in climate diplomacy, and have brought forward ambitious commitments. Still, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change remains the domain of national entities and does not recognise subnational actors as formal parties to the convention.

Mobilising Finance for Climate Action and Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure in Developing Countries

Yadav Anita , Sharma Himanshi , Venkataramani Vivek
| 2023

A fundamental obstacle all cities, especially those in developing countries, must overcome on the path to a low-emissions and climate-resilient future is the lack of capital and access to finance. International adaptation finance flows to developing countries remain between five and ten times lower than the estimated needs, and the gap is widening. As the impacts of climate change intensify, the developing world urgently needs financial mechanisms to mobilise funds to help vulnerable countries and communities adapt and build disaster-resilient infrastructure.

Delivery of Agrochemicals and Nutrients Through a Biopolymer‑Based System Derived from Lignocellulosic Rice Straw

Sharma Neha, Allardyce Benjamin James , Rajkhowa Rangam , Agrawal Ruchi
| 2023

Contemporary agricultural practises have stimulated environmental pollution, which has led to the debasement of the ecosystem, land, and environment. The utilization of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is increasing annually, which further damages agriculture. The current situation in agriculture has become unsustainable. Recent advances in nanotechnology have provided an innovative and resourceful approach to the agriculture sector by implementing a biopolymer-based delivery system that delivers agrochemicals in a controlled manner without polluting the environment.

A novel essential small RNA, sSp_p6 influences nitrogen fixation in Azospirillum brasilense

Koul Vatsala , Kochar Mandira
| 2020

Azospirillum brasilense Sp245, a diazotrophic plant growth-promoting bacterium influences host plants via wellknown mechanisms, gene interactions and confers abiotic and biotic stress tolerance mediated by signalling molecules. We present here, the functional characterization of a small RNA (sRNA), sSp_p6, identified from the 468 sRNAs identified in A. brasilense Sp245 and confirmed its involvement in nitrogen metabolism in the strain.

Genome-wide identification of Azospirillum brasilense Sp245 small RNAs responsive to nitrogen starvation and likely involvement in plant-microbe interactions

Koul Vatsala , Srivastava Divya , Singh Pushplata Prasad , Kochar Mandira
| 2020

Small RNAs (sRNAs) are non-coding RNAs known to regulate various biological functions such asstress adaptation, metabolism, virulence as well as pathogenicity across a wide range of bacteria, mainly bycontrolling mRNA stabilization or regulating translation. Identification and functional characterization of sRNAs hasbeen carried out in various plant growth-promoting bacteria and they have been shown to help the cells cope upwith environmental stress. No study has been carried out to uncover these regulatory molecules in the diazotrophic