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Adaptation to a low-carbon economy is an endeavour of utmost importance to our country. This requires the adoption of a variety of measures in achieving net zero targets. One of the significant enablers in imbuing these measures is the availability of finance. Reserve Bank of India's 'Framework for Acceptance of Green Deposits' has provided a fillip to the evolution of a green finance ecosystem in India. Banks are considered to be instrumental as key drivers of the financial mechanisms channelizing private investments towards a green economy that is better equipped to address the unprecedented challenges posed by climate change. These guidelines will help ensure that funds are utilized for the cause of sustainability. With the concerted actions by the government, regulators, financial institutions, corporates, and individuals to nudge towards contribution to the green finance ecosystem, the net zero goal would be more attainable. The paper provides a backdrop to the imminent climate threats, regulatory interventions, key dimensions of the green deposits framework, and its implications on stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formation of green library is proceeding towards a turning point, giving rise to the green library movement comprising of libraries, librarians, towns, cities, colleges, and university campuses executing to greening libraries and lessening their environmental impact. The paper highlights the conditions of the green library, green library standards, needs, features, buildings, and green library initiatives in India. It also gives an overview of green library programs and courses in the present scenario. There are some environmental changes such as climate change and energy depletion by which it affects the information resources and the programs libraries provide to their users. The main aim of green buildings is to grow and use energy-efficient resources in maintenance, the construction which maintains the overall life of the library building. The paper concludes by saying that Libraries must respond to this increasing focus on the Green library Movement and take initiatives in making a library green. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To combat the effects of climate change and meet the need for clean energy, the global power sector, over the past few decades, has been undergoing a major transformation for which all possible renewable energy sources are currently being utilized. To achieve sustainable growth, India, like many other countries, is also in the process of energy transition, aiming to shift to renewable energy-based power generation. In this transition, research in Ocean Renewable Energy (ORE) technologies is rising to rapid prominence. This study examines the state of ORE research in India and compares it with global research activities in this field using a graph-theoretical framework for collaboration co-authorship networks in ORE using bibliometric data on published scholarly articles indexed in two well-known electronic databases covering two 10-year windows: 1999-2008 and 2009-2018, inclusive. A strategic analysis of a number of metrics characterizing the networks’ large-scale structures reveals that the Indian network is highly fragmented, resulting in a singular dearth of large-scale connections for Indian ORE researchers. We recommend effective research policies to improve knowledge generation and dissemination in ORE research collaboration in India (and many other countries in similar situations), based on our findings for Indian networks and pertinent parallels with global ORE. With growing concerns about sustainable energy utilization, our study has policy implications for pressing issues of energy demands in the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Designing of a sustainable forest policy is of extreme importance in our present world where the process of rapid economic growth is causing imbalance in the climatic cycles by denying ecosystems sufficient time for adaptation and the socioeconomic systems adequate opportunity for mitigation. In this paper, the forests are considered highly resilient natural resource that plays a major role in reducing the impact of global climate change through carbon sequestration, heat absorption, watershed protection, acid deposition, etc. This paper examines the prospect of sustainable forest management for an emerging economy like India, where forest coverage has gone up over the last three decades in spite of population growth, rapid urbanization, and fast economic growth. To assess the possibility of sustainable future growth in a globally congenial environment, the extent of ecological stress on Indian economy has been checked and pattern of public as well as private expenditure along with import and export of forestry and related products analyzed. The import of forestry-based products are increasing in terms of volume, value and unit prices throughout this period and the major importers of raw and semi-finished forestry-based inputs are the South and East Asian countries. From the perspective of material balance, the results of structural decomposition analysis reveal increasing dominance of economic growth over other effects indicating necessity of designing intervention to decouple potential future economic growth from forest resources to ensure long run sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

“The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are broad sets of common goals for fair and sustainable health from local to international community. The aim is to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity, now and in the future. The goals embody an agenda that is scientifically strong, and widely in-built planned to figure upon the progress recognized by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). There is a need for structure wide strategic planning to integrate the economic, social and environmental dimensions into policy and actions. In the era of climate change we need to understand the difference between the MDGs and the SDGs, their implementation and nature of universality and the systems thinking that is needed to deliver the vision. The danger is that individual goals may be prioritized without an understanding of the potential positive interactions between goals. There is an increasing understanding that sustainable development needs a paradigm shift in our understanding of the interaction between the real economy and quality of life. There would be many social, environmental and economic benefits in changing our current model. The paper basically will focus on: 1) the importance of sustainable developmental goals in the era of climate change in India; 2) Need to develop systems understanding of what supports a healthy environment and the issues & challenges thereof.” [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Physical, Regulatory and Brand value risks due to climate change challenges are foreseen by businesses globally. This paper is oriented towards these challenges and prepared a comprehensive Greenhouse gases (GHG) footprint plan and identification of mitigation opportunities for ONGC, a fortune 500 and national oil company of India. Internationally recognized standards and guidelines like Greenhouse Gas Protocol, ISO-14064, and American Petroleum Institute compendium have been referred for quantifying carbon emissions in nearly real 400 + operation control facilities. The GHG inventory is based on Operational Control approach to identify the boundary for which emissions are to be quantified and two significant scopes of emissions viz Direct Emissions and Indirect Emissions are identified and quantified. The quantification concluded that GHG emission footprint for the year 2016–17 is in the range of 9 million tons of CO 2 equivalent. GHG emissions mainly account due to stationary combustion, fugitive emissions and wastewater treatment, which share the around 56% of total emissions. Another 24–26% of emissions are contributed due to flaring, processes by glycol dehydrator, acid gas removal units, and by electricity purchased from the grid. As a result, it has been found that ONGC emits 187 kg CO 2 e emissions per tonne throughput and also compared with its global peer organizations. At the organization level, "Key Industrial Sites" have been identified as contributing higher GHG emissions and accordingly key "hot-spots," a list of 15 GHG mitigation opportunities have been proposed in the paper. Two GHG mitigation initiatives based on solar energy and bioenergy application undertaken at ONGC has also been briefed on case studies. Highlights • Comprehensive carbon footprint plan and identification of mitigation opportunities for Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), a fortune 500 and national oil company of India. • Guidelines like Greenhouse Gas Protocol, ISO-4064 and American Petroleum Institute compendium are referred for quantifying carbon emissions from direct and indirect sources. • Green policy, incentives and mandatory compliance. • CO2e emissions per tonne throughput and also compared with its peer global organisations. • Key hot-spots, with a list of 15 GHG mitigation opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study attempted to observe the perception and adaptation strategies of farmers in the context of climate change. It observes that the majority of the farmers are aware of climate change and understand that they are facing problems due to it. The major problems faced by the farmers are the long duration of dryness due to lack of rainfall, weed pressure, very high temperatures, and crop disease. However, farmers are not very aware of technological adaptation and have changed the cropping time due to changes in the time of monsoon. The study recommends that there is a need for intensive micro and macro policy initiatives in terms of modern green sustainable technology along with awareness and skill development of the farmers. The government should also focus more on policy initiatives for sustainable agricultural practices in line with sustainable development goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change is a global concern of the current century. Its rapid escalation and ever-increasing intensity have been felt worldwide, leading to dramatic impacts globally. The aftermath of climate change in India has brought about a profound transformation in India's environmental, socio-economic, and urban landscapes. In 2019, India ranked seventh, among the most affected countries by extreme weather events caused due to changing climate. This impact was evident in terms of both, the human toll with 2,267 lives lost, and the economic damage, which accounted for 66,182 million US$ Purchasing power parities (PPPs). Over the recent years, India has experienced a significant increase in the number and frequency of extreme weather events, causing vulnerable communities. The country experienced severe air pollution problems in several metropolitan cities and was highlighted in the list of the world's most polluted cities. Additionally, India has become the most populous nation globally, boasting a population of 1.4 billion people, equating to ~18% of the global population, and experiencing an increased rate of consumption of natural resources. Owing to the country's current scenario, various climate mitigation strategies, including nature-based solutions, must be implemented to reduce such impacts and support India's target of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This review tries to have a holistic understanding of the effects of climate change on different sectors to identify India's challenges in achieving SDG 13 and SDG 11. Finally, it also highlighted the future recommendations for climate change-related research from an Indian perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The livelihood of indigenous people, residing in the forest fringe area of developing countries like India, are primarily dependent on the forest. These forest fringe communities represent the country's poorest people and are the most vulnerable due to their high dependency on natural resources, lack of energy, unemployment, poor quality of life and poor socio-economic conditions. Additionally, climate change and lesser adaptive capacity have further exacerbated their struggle to meet their livelihoods. Thus, alleviating poverty, strengthening adaptive capacity to climate change and improving energy access are interlinked and complementary to each other, forming an energy–poverty–climate nexus. The study attempted to understand and analyse the nexus between poverty, energy access and climate vulnerability of the most impoverished villages of India. The study was conducted in 29 forest fringe villages, spread in Mandla and Hoshangabad districts of the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. The state has the distinction of having the highest forest cover and tribal population in the country. A detailed household survey was conducted to assess poverty, climate vulnerability and energy access of 325 households by using progress out of poverty index (PPI), climate change vulnerability index (CCVI) and energy access index (EAI), respectively. The data were collected through interview sessions with the respondents in the regional language. After computing scores of all indices, correlation, regression and chi-square were applied to test the integration of these three variables to understand the energy–poverty–climate nexus. The study found a nexus between energy access, poverty and climate vulnerability and also identified 14 indicators, which significantly influenced the nexus. These indicators were related to agriculture, energy, income and infrastructure, and education and awareness that together help to form an institutional framework for sustainable development. The framework suggests the formation of a block-level committee for monitoring and evaluation, a district-level committee for mobilizing funds, and a state-level inter-departmental committee for planning and implementation. Furthermore, the analysis on scores of different indices revealed that parameters like economic class, type of livelihood options/occupation and education level of a household may be the appropriate indicators for the selection of households to prioritize the target beneficiaries of programmes and policies related to poverty, energy and climate change in the forest fringe villages of India. Based on this, a site-specific framework was designed to act and prioritize programme implementation to achieve sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate action plans are essential for climate mitigation and adaptation as well as to achieve climate and development goals like the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, the development and implementation of climate action plans at multiple levels involve decision-making processes. In this article, we examine the barriers and opportunities to decision-making in climate action plans for adaptation at three different governance levels in India: national, sub-national and local. Through a literature review and analysis of case studies, we find that lack of usable climate information, institutional weaknesses and capacity of actors are critical barriers to decision-making at all three levels in India. We recommend that providing usable and accessible climate information, creating evidence and knowledge on adaptation, strengthening the science-policy interface and institutional mechanisms, as well as building the capacities of actors can contribute to better decision-making and achieving targeted climate action plans and SDGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, climate change is one of the most challenging environmental issues as it poses potential threat to different sectors of economy at global level. Agriculture being an open activity is primarily dependent on climatic factors and change in climatic conditions affects the production, quality and quantity of crop production in an area. This paper attempts to study effects of only two parameters of climate i.e. temperature and rainfall on agricultural production in northwest region of India. Northwest region comprising of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu Kashmir states is the greatest food bowl of India contributing to its food security. The analysis of mean monthly rainfall and maximum and minimum temperatures (1901-2006) shows no significant change in temperature and rainfall conditions from 1901 to 1960; but afterward the change is more pronounced. On the whole any significant change in climatic conditions will not only challenge the food production of the region but also challenge the country's food security situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper critically examines the feasibility and desirability of green growth in India. Currently, its environment is being plundered at all levels, local, national, and global. The stresses that result raise the fundamental question of whether the aspirations of Indians for greater material comfort can ever be fulfilled. The current 5-year plan aims for ‘Faster and More Inclusive Sustainable Growth’ but it is clear that the emphasis of the Plan is mostly on growth and inclusion, rather than sustainability. A modelling exercise reported here suggests that a ‘visionary development’ growth scenario with major social and environmental benefits is possible for India at low cost. However, combining that scenario with a low-carbon growth trajectory consistent with international aspirations to limit climate change would be significantly more expensive. As it is not clear that the Indian people would be willing to bear these extra costs, some combination of accelerated low-carbon innovation, technology transfer from developed countries, and climate finance from outside the country will be needed if green growth is to take root in India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental concerns are no longer unfamiliar in the over populated country like India. It is been decades, since when the government, firms and companies including stakeholders are making efforts for constant and sustainable development in the economy with minimum deterioration of environment. Environmental degradation, climate change and global warming are such issues that induced concern related to environment protection among the producers and consumers as well. The aim of this paper is to understand the purchasing behaviour of the consumers for eco-friendly products and what are the factors that affect the buying intention for such products. The study was conducted in Uttar Pradesh region of north-western part of India and data was collected using well-structured questionnaire among 230 respondents using convenient sampling out of which the results of 198 questionnaires were used for analysis. One-way ANOVA test has been used to test the significance level of the independent variable over dependent variable. The findings revealed that education level does not affect the concern for environment protection when buying the eco-friendly products. The analysis showed that the willingness to pay for green products was also influenced by income level of the consumers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mitigation of global energy demands and climate change are the most important factors in the modern days. Development and application of solar energy have been regarded by the government of India and common people, and they thought that solar photo voltaic energy can provide more energy in future compare to other renewable energies. In the last decade, solar photovoltaic energy research and development has supported by the central government and state governments. This paper discusses the progress of current solar photovoltaic energy in India. It highlights the renewable energy trend in India with major achievements, state wise analysis of solar parks and industrial applications. Finally, it discusses the Indian government policies and initiatives to promote solar energy in India. This review on solar photovoltaic energy will help decision makers and various stakeholders to understand the current status, barriers and challenges for better planning and management in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land degradation as one of the mega drivers of loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services has affected billions globally, resulting in rampant loss of livelihoods and accelerated distress migration. India, one of the land degradation hotspots in Asia, has also been reeling under the impacts of the ongoing climate and pandemic crises, which have seriously imperiled local livelihoods and human well‐being. Boosting livelihood‐based social support programs can be a transformative approach to scale up Nature‐based Solutions to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality and to realize global restoration, climate, and biodiversity conservation goals. In this article, we provide evidence for enhancing landscape restoration success by creating green job opportunities to achieve post‐pandemic recovery. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) was initiated as a poverty alleviation program in India and can be transformative approach to achieve global climate and sustainable development goals. We use cases from diverse ecological contexts of India to demonstrate the potential of MGNREGS. To revolutionize the process, we propose developing and mainstreaming national‐level landscape restoration guidelines by using locally relevant knowledge for addressing critical gaps, identifying institutions and their roles, developing local capacity, leveraging technology to facilitate decision‐making, encouraging multi‐stakeholder involvement, and promoting inclusiveness and community participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most difficult environmental crisis the world is facing is global warming and climate change. This issue will have ramifications for the planet's future, as seen from several perspectives. New environmental rules have emerged as a result of popular awareness about the difficulties created by climate change. One of the components that contribute to corporate governance is environmental accounting. The current study intends to analyses the existence of environmental disclosure and financial performance among India's top companies by reviewing previous research. It is motivated by the possibility that environmental accounting could accomplish sustainable growth and development. The existence of environmental disclosure procedures in India and financial success yield conflicting results, according to the report. Since environmental accounting is developing and expanding as the social attention on the environment grows, this subject is still being debated at the international and national levels. In India, there are no such regulations or regulatory requirements for businesses to provide information about environmental sustainability. However, if firms wish to justify their position in society and raise expectations in environmental measurement, environmental disclosure is still required. Regulators' duty is to make it easier for corporations to provide information that they are required to disclose without jeopardizing the needs of other parties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The overlap in sources of greenhouse gas and local air pollutant emissions creates scope for policy measures to limit global warming and improve air quality simultaneously. In a first step, we derive estimates for the air pollution mortality-related component of the social cost of atmospheric release for 6 pollutants and 56 regions in the world. Combining these estimates with emission inventory data highlights that sector contributions to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution health impacts differ widely across regions. Next, simulations of future emission pathways consistent with the 2 °C and 1.5 °C targets illustrate that strengthening climate policy ambition raises the total value of air quality co-benefits despite lower marginal co-benefits per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions abated. Finally, we use results from a multi-model ensemble to quantify and compare the value of health-related ambient air quality co-benefits of climate policy across sectors and regions. On the global level, overall air quality co-benefits range from $8 to $40 per tonne of greenhouse gases abated in 2030, with median across models and scenarios of $18/tCO2e. These results mask strong differentiation across regions and sectors, with median co-benefits from mitigation in the residential and service sectors in India exceeding $500/tCO2e. By taking a sector- and region-specific perspective, the results presented here reveal promising channels to improve human health outcomes and to ratchet up greenhouse gas reduction efforts to bridge the gap between countries' pledges and the global targets of the Paris Agreement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In spite of green revolution and rapid economic growth, India's vast population still suffers from hunger and poverty, especially in the rural areas. Moreover, drought adversely affects India's economy by declining agricultural production and purchasing power. It also escalates rural unemployment which ultimately affects household food security. Our study investigated the food security of drought prone rural households in a broader context by linking the dimensions of food security with dimensions of climate change vulnerability. We used the primary data of 157 drought prone rural households of Odisha state in India for analysis. This study employed polychoric principal component analysis to construct an aggregate food security index. An ordered probit model was used to estimate the determinants of food security. The FSI showed that three-fourth of the respondents were facing food security issues with varying degrees. The estimates of ordered probit model indicated that joint family, education, migration and health insurance are key variables that determine food security, whereas drought adversely affected food security of rural households. Overarching strategies are required to effectively address food security issues in the wake of increased drought risk. This study provides an insight for policy makers in India and in similar south Asian countries who must consider food security in the light of drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]