Publications
Cities Must Address Needs of Children, Women and Persons with Disabilities
Article
| April 1, 2025
As we reflect on the future, it’s a timely reminder of the kind of cities we are building for future generations. The urban spaces we create today will shape the world that future generations inherit, and it is crucial that these spaces are inclusive of all their needs. The rapid growth of cities and urbanization pose significant challenges in various areas of urban development. Vulnerable groups, such as women, children and youth, persons with disabilities, the elderly, the urban poor, informal settlement dwellers, and migrants are disproportionately affected by these challenges.
International Zero Waste Day: Towards zero waste in fashion and textiles
Article
| March 30, 2025
As we observe International Zero Waste Day on March 30, the global spotlight is on the critical need to eliminate waste from one of the most waste intensive and environmentally impactful industry: fashion and textiles. The sector utilizes substantial amount of resources like water, chemicals, energy and in turn generates massive amounts of waste, threatening the overall human and environmental welfare and underscoring the urgency of adopting sustainable and circular practices.
Decarbonization Roadmap for the Indian Cement Sector Net-Zero CO2 by 2070
Policy brief
| March 26, 2025
The cement industry is one of the core industries in India and holds significant importance in the country’s economy. India is the second largest cement producer in the world, accounting for 8% of total installed capacity. The per capita consumption of cement in India is 257 kg, far less than the global average of 540 kg. The sector generates about 20,000 downstream jobs for every million tonne of cement produced.
Spatial variation of biochar production potential from surplus crop residues in India
Research Paper
| March 21, 2025
India faces environmental issues due to large-scale seasonal in situ burning of crop residues, leading to air pollution and nutrient loss. Biochar application can increase soil carbon content, moisture, and nutrient content while reducing air pollution. India produces 156 Mt. of annual in situ surplus crop residues from ten major crops, with the highest potential for rice residue biomass in Sangrur, Punjab. Biochar could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 405 Tg annually and its application to soil could sequester 7.5 Tg of carbon.
GIS and ML-Driven Insights into Forest Vulnerability and Climate Hotspots in Assam, India
Research Paper
| March 21, 2025
This study assesses the impact of regional climate variability on forest vulnerability in Assam using a GIS and Machine Learning (ML)-based approach. A grid-based Forest Vulnerability Index (FVI) was developed using eight key indicators, and climate change hotspots were mapped using temperature and precipitation anomalies. The results revealed that 87 forested grids are highly vulnerable, with significant overlaps between climate hotspots and biodiversity risk zones.
Seagrass Meadows – The Emerging Carbon Sink
Article
| March 1, 2025
Beneath the world’s marine waters lies a hidden champion in the fight against climate change - underwater meadows that capture carbon dioxide up to 35 times faster than tropical rainforests. These remarkable ecosystems are seagrasses, and as the world marks World Seagrass Day on March 1st, scientists are increasingly recognizing their crucial role in our planet's future.
Remote Sensing and Machine Learning-based assessment of Forest Biomass Changes in Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, India
Research Paper
| February 17, 2025
This study evaluates spatio-temporal variations in forest biomass in the Pench Tiger Reserve, Maharashtra, India, using a combination of remote sensing, field-based observations, and machine learning approaches. Fractional Vegetation Cover (FVC) layers were generated using the Linear Spectral Unmixing (LSU) Algorithm applied to multi-temporal LANDSAT data (2001-2022). A Linear Regression Model (LRM) was developed to estimate forest biomass across three forest strata: Very Dense Forest (VDF), Moderate Dense Forest (MDF), and Open Forest (OF), based on field sampling plots.
Nature-based solutions (NbS) for Rural Livelihoods
Article
| February 14, 2025
Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can create sustainable rural employment by leveraging ecosystem restoration, agroforestry, and sustainable farming. With potential to generate 20 million jobs by 2030, NbS offers long-term livelihood opportunities for India's rural workforce.
दिल्ली में बढ़ता वायु प्रदूषण संकट: बदलते स्रोतों, AQI रुझानों और स्थानीय-क्षेत्रीय योगदान का गहन विश्लेषण
Article
| January 28, 2025
दिल्ली की बिगड़ती वायु गुणवत्ता ने जीवन स्तर को गंभीर रूप से प्रभावित किया है, जिससे निवासियों को गंभीर स्वास्थ्य समस्याओं और दैनिक कठिनाइयों का सामना करना पड़ रहा है। यह स्थिति अब एक बड़े सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य संकट में बदल चुकी है। पिछले दो दशकों में प्रदूषण के स्रोत बदल गए हैं, और कई उपायों के बावजूद शहर खतरनाक वायु गुणवत्ता से जूझ रहा है। दिल्ली में वायु प्रदूषण इतना व्यापक हो चुका है कि यह निवासियों के स्वास्थ्य, कल्याण और भविष्य के लिए खतरा बन गया है।
Technical note on steps in baseline quantification for ARR carbon finance projects using remote sensing and GIS.
Research Paper
| January 6, 2025
This technical note outlines a systematic approach to baseline quantification for ARR (Afforestation, Reforestation, and Revegetation) carbon finance projects using advanced remote sensing (RS) and GIS methodologies. This approach particularly addresses India's fragmented landscapes, aiming to integrate small and marginal farmers into carbon finance markets, thus enhancing agroforestry potential and providing additional income generation.