Publications

Beyond Emergency Measures: Long-Term Solutions to India’s Winter Air Pollution Crisis

Article
| January 28, 2026

This article summarizes about India’s winter air pollution, role of meteorology, emission sources and their mitigation, hidden drivers of winter pollution, and requirement of airshed-based approach, preventive action, and sustained emission reductions beyond emergency measures.

From Fuel Economy to Clean Air: Strengthening Corporate Average Fuel Efficiency (CAFE) Norms for Passenger Vehicles in India

Policy brief
| January 27, 2026

The transport sector is India’s third-largest emitter, accounting for approximately 12 per cent of energy-related CO₂ emissions, with road transport contributing over 90 per cent of total transport emissions. Passenger vehicles (PVs) are growing rapidly in India. Even though car ownership in India (cars per 1,000 population) remains low (~35) compared to Japan (496), China (195), the USA (588), and Germany (582), absolute vehicle numbers are rising quickly due to population growth and rising incomes.

Green Steel by 2030: Building the business case for the first green steel plant in India

Policy brief
| January 22, 2026

Green Steel by 2030: Building the business case for the first green steel plant in India presents new analysis to support steel companies, policymakers, financiers, and civil society in identifying the conditions necessary to make commercial-scale green steel viable in India.

Replicating ‘Operation Flood’ for Bioenergy

Article
| January 12, 2026

Operation Flood catapulted India as the highest producer of milk in the world and the same needs to be replicated to revolutionize the bioenergy sector.

India’s PV Manufacturing & Its Strategic Inflection Points

Policy brief
| January 9, 2026

The report, “India’s PV Manufacturing & Its Strategic Inflection Points,” was released on 9 January 2026, at the ITC Maurya, New Delhi. The launch took place between 6:30–7:00 PM as a cornerstone of the formal unveiling of India’s National Cleantech Manufacturing Implementation Plan during the Bharat Climate Forum 2026.

Regulatory Players in Mycorrhizal‐Bacterial‐Plant Interactions

Research Paper
| January 9, 2026

Mycorrhizae contribute significantly for plant growth and development, often providing nutrients such as phosphate and nitrogen, while also enhancing stress tolerance and resistance against phytopathogens. Plant symbiotic mycorrhizal networks harbor bacterial communities that aid mycorrhizal functions and augment plant nutrition and development. Various bacterial associations of mycorrhiza bring forth advantageous traits to mycorrhizal symbiosis and host colonization, which involves a wide range of signaling and regulatory molecules.

Financing India's Decarbonisation Journey – the Role of Private Investment for Mitigation

Research Paper
| January 9, 2026

Carbon finance has been moving to the centre of global discussions on climate change. The reality of the impending disaster from global warming is generating a sense of urgency in global elites. At the Conference of Parties in Paris, countries agreed that the rise in global temperatures had to be restricted to 1.5 degrees (UNFCCC, n.d). However, actions to reduce carbon emissions have been inadequate. As a result, this may no longer be feasible.

Advancing Diagnostics for Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae: Challenges and Future Directions

Research Paper
| January 8, 2026

Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo) is a widespread bacterial pathogen in rice with worldwide implications. This pathogen causes bacterial blight in rice and is a concern for global food security, causing up to 50% yield loss. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of Xoo, including its global distribution, disease cycle, and current management strategies, while critically evaluating the limitations of existing diagnostic methods. By focusing on Xoo, the paper addresses a gap in research that mostly focuses on the wider Xanthomonas genus.

Bioeconomic Potential of Agro-residues: Agrotextiles in India

Research Paper
| January 8, 2026

India, an agrarian economy, generates over 650 million tonnes of agro-residues annually, much of which remain underutilized, leading to environmental pollution and resource loss. Effective management of this biomass presents opportunities for bioeconomic applications, including biogas, bio-composites, fodder, fertilizers, and fibre-based products. Technological advancements have enabled the repurposing of agro-residues into sustainable agrotextiles, such as mulch mats and harvesting nets, fostering rural economic growth while reducing environmental impact.

Policy Brief: Roadmap for Zero Emission Truck (ZET) Skilling in India

Policy brief
| January 5, 2026

Globally, road vehicles contribute 20 per cent of CO2 emissions; yet trucks, which account for less than 1 per cent of the total vehicle fleet, contribute approximately 35% of those emissions. In India, the situation is similar: while making up only 3 per cent of road vehicles, commercial trucks are responsible for 34 per cent of the road transport sector's CO2 emissions. Though this segment is carbon-intensive, it remains essential for the country’s economic development.