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Changing climate exerts significant pressure on coastal wetland fishery, ecosystems and livelihood at the eco-regional level. In the present study, an indicator and scoring-based vulnerability assessment framework was developed to assess climate change-induced potential impacts and vulnerability of the coastal wetlands through stakeholder perception and primary data collection on ecology and fisheries. The study was conducted in 12 coastal wetlands in the Gangetic estuarine regions of eastern India. Analysis of rainfall, temperature and extreme climatic events was also carried out. The climate variability in the region was analysed and discussed in the context of ecosystem health and sustainability indicators. The results indicated that anthropogenic stress has a greater influence on ecosystem services than climatic stress. However, the nature and degree of vulnerability of fishers to climate change vary with their capacity to adapt to such changes and alternate sources of livelihood. Altogether, 34 fish species were documented, belonging to 11 taxonomic orders, and categorized as per intensity of resilience using selected criteria. Perception-based climate-resilient adaptation strategies have also been discussed. Developing appropriate adaptation policies and implementing climate-resilient practices and management can minimize vulnerability and increase the adaptive capacity of fishers ensuring sustainable livelihood options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In India, the polarization of growth towards urban areas leads to a considerable rise in multifamily, high-rise residential projects. Hence, incorporating sustainability in high-rise residential construction is one of the key aims of sustainable urban development. This study presents a comprehensive framework for the sustainability assessment of high-rise residential projects in India, addressing economic, environmental and social dimensions throughout the project's life cycle. The proposed framework comprises 44 attributes, 11 criteria and three dimensions of sustainability based on an extensive literature review, Indian government policies and guidelines for environmental clearance of residential projects and India's commonly adopted green building rating systems. The present study has identified 12 economically favourable sustainability attributes which can be helpful to encourage developers to implement them. Further, the analytic hierarchy process was used to evaluate the weights of identified sustainability attributes, criteria and dimensions based on experts' opinions. The developed sustainability assessment framework provides a blueprint for promoting sustainable practices in high-rise residential construction. It can also be used to develop a sustainability assessment tool for high-rise residential projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the farming system to attain the household level self‐sufficiency, land utilization efficiency and sustainable livelihood security depends on better socio‐economic and ecological aspects of the systems practiced by the small farmers in the semiarid regions of India. The higher sustainable livelihood security index (SLSI) in the integrated crops‐livestock system helps to restore economic and ecological sustainability. The aim of this study was to analyze how various modules of farming in different combinations have interacted with the diversification of existing systems. We used the ecological security index (ESI), economic efficiency index (EEI), and social equity index (SEI) to produce a SLSI of improved integrated farming system (IFS) compared with benchmark farming in semiarid regions. In this study, different existing IFS comprising of seven modules (field crops, dairy, goats, poultry, horticulture, fishery, and apiary) in different combinations were examined. Results revealed that 72.5% farmers preferred to integrate two modules, where as 95% of farmers adopted field crops + dairy (FC + D) in preference to other modules. The sustainability indicators: ESI (+43.3%), EEI (+16.0%), SEI (+11.6%), and SLSI (+6.0%) were improved in the FC + D farming system to a greater degree than other IFS module combinations. Similarly, improved IFS interventions also increased sustainability indicators over benchmark farming. Based on large scale household studies over 5 years, our findings suggest that the improved IFS succeeded in providing a wider array of livelihood security than existing practices. Hence, the paradigm shift from component approach to an IFS‐based resilient system, which is economically viable, environmentally sustainable, and socially acceptable, is needed for development of semiarid regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability assessment at a national scale is a complex task that ought to be seen with a range of conflicting indicators and multicriteria analysis (MCA) is the best approach that can address these conflicts. The study aims for a comprehensive sustainability assessment of renewable energy (RE) technologies in India based on MCA and examines the impact of associated social and environmental risks on the overall sustainability ranking. Large hydropower is evaluated as the most sustainable RE technology in context to India under selected indicators. Contrary to this, large hydropower has also been identified with the highest social and environmental risks. Therefore, in a developing country like India, the techno-economic advantages of large hydropower with its significant untapped potential cannot be overlooked. Hence, there arises a need to enhance the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process. Thus, the study recommends a transparent process for public participation in EIA for comprehensive and effective social and environmental risk management of the project to achieve the goal of sustainable development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Identified 30 agro-ecosystem specific sustainability indicators. • Sustainability indicators help in mapping the climate resilience of agriculture. • We propose a framework, "Climate Risk Management Package for Agriculture (CRiMPA)", to aid in planning interventions. The impending threats of changing climate have been well documented across sectors. The climate risks are best addressed through increasing adaptive capacity and building resilience. Ever since the global call during the Rio Summit in 1992 for establishing sustainability indicators across sectors, there have been several studies across the world on developing indicators for sustainability, vulnerability and climate resilience. Agriculture, the most vulnerable system to changing climate, depends on the resilience of both social and ecological systems. This paper focuses on integrating the variability of climate into the agricultural sustainability measurement with a broad base of indicators and bringing in the localized factors for representing the agroecosystem specificities. The paper also aims at identifying indicators for measuring climate resilient agriculture in Indian sub-continent and developing a conceptual framework for profiling the spatial resilience across various agro-ecosystems for appropriate location-specific policy interventions. In the current study 1209 indicators used in various research studies were screened, grouped for similarity and purpose and classified based on the various dimensions viz., social, economic, ecological, etc. After a critical review based on their appropriateness as a measurable indicator, extent of overlap, relevance in Indian context and possible data availability, 41 indicators were shortlisted for validation through a comprehensive structured online survey among subject matter specialists (n = 225). The responses from the experts (n = 36) were analysed using weighted sum model (WSM) and analytic hierarchy process (AHP). The study identifies a list of 30 sustainability indicators for climate resilient agriculture in India, that are particularly suitable for different agro-ecosystems of the sub-continent. The authors advocate an action-oriented model called Climate Risk Management Package for Agriculture (CRiMPA) to aid in planning spatial/agro-ecosystem specific interventions, which in turn could strengthen the National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) of Government of India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

India needs to significantly increase its electricity consumption levels, in a sustainable manner, if it has to ensure rapid economic development, a goal that remains the most potent tool for delivering adaptation capacity to its poor who will suffer the worst consequences of climate change. Resource/supply constraints faced by conventional energy sources, techno-economic constraints faced by renewable energy sources, and the bounds imposed by climate change on fossil fuel use are likely to undermine India’s quest for having a robust electricity system that can effectively contribute to achieving accelerated, sustainable and inclusive economic growth. One possible way out could be transitioning into a sustainable electricity system, which is a trade-off solution having taken into account the economic, social and environmental concerns. As a first step toward understanding this transition, we contribute an indicator based hierarchical multidimensional framework as an analytical tool for sustainability assessment of electricity systems, and validate it for India’s national electricity system. We evaluate Indian electricity system using this framework by comparing it with a hypothetical benchmark sustainable electrical system, which was created using best indicator values realized across national electricity systems in the world. This framework, we believe, can be used to examine the social, economic and environmental implications of the current Indian electricity system as well as setting targets for future development. The analysis with the indicator framework provides a deeper understanding of the system, identify and quantify the prevailing sustainability gaps and generate specific targets for interventions. We use this framework to compute national electricity system sustainability index (NESSI) for India. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop a set of sustainable development indicators for urban areas, the multi-view black-box (MVBB) framework has been recently proposed. MVBB framework is applicable to the whole urban system and also to any of its domains or sectors. This study relates MVBB framework to the transportation sector of Mumbai city. It is motivated by the unsustainability trends in transportation sector worldwide. The study examines the indicators from literature, places them in the context of Mumbai, and classifies them into three dimensions of urban sustainability - economic efficiency, social well-being, and ecological acceptability. This exercise gives a set of potential indicators for the Mumbai transportation system, which can subsequently be filtered to arrive at a final set of indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shifts in agricultural development paradigms to those that incorporate efficiency and sustainability have warranted the need for a comprehensive methodology for evaluating agro-ecosystem performance in terms of its sustainability. The paper describes the Agro-ecosystem Performance Index (API) as a quantitative measure based on the participatory methodological paradigm in the development of sustainability indicators. It was developed by integrating the three major sustainability dimensions of economics of production, social capital endowments, and conservation of ecology. Approaches followed a combination of principal component analysis with indexing approach in estimating the impact of sustainable management practices on the multiple agro-ecosystem functions of rice production systems of Kerala, India. Productivity, profitability, stability, diversity, equitability, human resource endowments, and group effectiveness were the agro-ecosystem functions delineated using farmer perceptions, based on which the API was conceptualized and indicators to measure each of these functions was defined. Accuracy and reliability of the indicators was tested using participatory action research involving farmers organized in groups in the two types of input use systems in rice, i.e., low input use and high input use in the selected study area. API values calculated for the group members of both the selected systems recorded higher values on all the three dimensions of sustainability compared to non group members which validated the index. The index provided a basis for classifying rice production systems on the basis of sustainability of performance so that different interventions can be designed to match the system requirements. Community involvement used in the selection of indicators and the development of an index also facilitated reciprocal learning and setting of development priorities to match local needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The worldwide crisis of fisheries, which are usually managed on a single species basis, has led to calls for ‘ecosystem management’, along with the development of various ecosystem indicators. The Marine Trophic Index (MTI) and the related Fishing-in-Balance (FiB) index are two such indicators, which can be used to draw inferences on the sustainability of fisheries, notably those targeting high-trophic level species, in an ecosystem context. These indices are used here to evaluate the status of marine fisheries in India, based on taxonomically and spatially disaggregated time series of catches covering the years 1950, when 0.6 million tonnes were landed to 2000, when 3.3 million tonnes were landed. We show that the MTI is steadily decreasing in all 13 Indian States and Union Territories, at rates averaging 0.058 trophic level per decade, about the same as in other parts of the world. This decline, however, is not due to the sequential addition of newly exploited species of low trophic level to the multi-species catch from which mean trophic level is calculated. Rather, the MTI values were computed after exclusion of species with trophic levels lower than 3.25. Notably, this excluded Indian oil sardine and penaeid shrimps, the catch of which grew enormously in the 1980s. What has to date maintained the landings of higher trophic level fish in India has been the geographic expansion of the fisheries, which, until the early 1970s, exploited only waters immediately under the coast, while they now reaches to the edges of the continental shelf and beyond. This expansion is quantified here through a ‘spatial expansion factor’, based on a re-interpretation of the Fishing-in-Balance index. This index was proposed earlier to analyse, in an ecosystem context, the interrelationship between mean trophic level and magnitude of the catch, and the trophic transfer efficiency among trophic levels of the food web. The FiB index is shown here to allow, under some specific assumptions about productivity of the exploited areas, inferences on the spatial behavior of fisheries. Based on the newly formulated spatial expansion factor, it is suggested that the Indian shelf fisheries, covered by 2000 about 4 times the area they covered in 1970. However, this expansion had apparently met its natural limits, and catches can be expected to stagnate and ultimately decline, with serious consequences for the marine fisheries sector and consumers in India. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The steel companies are becoming increasingly aware about the sustainability challenges. In order to become a responsible corporate citizen, the industry has responded to these challenges through adoption of pillars of sustainability. The industry has made the beginning with identification of sustainability indicators. The indicators have been developed specifically for steel industry. Generally, it is quite difficult to evaluate the performance of company on the basis of large number of sustainability indicators. Integration of key sustainability indicators is quite essential for decision-making. Composite indicators are an innovative approach to evaluate sustainable performance. This paper presents a method for development of composite sustainability performance index (CSPI) that addresses the sustainable performance of steel industries along all the three pillars of sustainability—economic, environmental and societal. Organizational governance and technical aspects have also been considered fourth and fifth dimensions of sustainability. The objective of this paper is to introduce sustainability and to present a conceptual decision model, using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) to assist in evaluating the impact of an organization''s sustainability performance. AHP has been used to determine the weights at various levels. Sub-indices have been evaluated and aggregated to form CSPI. The effectiveness of the proposed model is evaluated in a case study for a major steel company in India. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Continuously increasing population, industrialization and urbanization drastically lead to the destruction of natural resources and fossil fuels. Therefore, for energy security and a clean environment, there arises a need to tap sustainable energy sources on a large scale. The evaluation of sustainable energy sources depends on sustainability indicators. To know the indicators from the Indian perspective, the present work initially identifies the indicators through a literature survey and discussions with experts. Further, a survey needs to be conducted to identify the effective criteria from Indian perspectives. For the survey, 93 indicators are categorized into 15 main factors. Academicians, environment experts, industry experts, experts from NGO, engineers, and investors from India are selected to give their opinions about the importance of the indicators according to their usability, practices and relevancy from Indian perspectives. The survey results are then ranked the indicators from highly unsuitable to highly suitable category based on the sustainability importance index (SII). The present study results on twenty-six highly suitable indicators only. These indicators are mainly corresponding to the economic, technical, environmental, social, political, and flexible factors. The analytically and statistically validated sustainability indicators are further employed for the evaluation of most sustainable energy sources in India. The outcome of this study will be helpful for the policy and decision makers, to formulate diverse energy strategies which in turn will contribute for sustainable development of the country. • Identification and evaluation of sustainability indicators in Indian perspective. • Evaluation of indicators based on the sustainability importance index. • Twenty six indicators obtained as the sustainability indicators in India. • Empirically and statistically validated the identified indicators. • Evaluated sustainable energy sources in India using sustainability indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustainability of rice production systems is a prime concern for Asia to maintain food security and to support economic growth. This gain in productivity not only depends on agricultural inputs but also depends on social and environmental factors. To address these emerging issues, new resource- and capital-efficient and profitable technologies have been introduced. The conventional method of rice production (puddling and manual transplanting, PTR) is considered as highly input intensive. As an alternative, dry direct seeded rice (DSR) using seed drill has been promoted to save labor and production costs compared with PTR. Similarly, machine transplanted rice (MTR) has been also considered and promoted in many rice growing countries of South and East Asia. Economic, environmental, and social performances of DSR and MTR (alternative rice establishment technologies) were compared to the PTR using Sustainable Rice Platform (SRP) defined 12 Performance Indicators (PIs) (version 1.0) as a gauge to measure their sustainability. For that, a household survey was conducted on 652 households in Odisha India during 2016. The gaps, i.e., the target to achieve better sustainability, were computed for most of the indicators from the difference between top 10th percentile and the population mean value of the indicator. The results indicated a yield gap of 1.35 t ha−1, a profit gap of $273 ha−1, labor productivity gap of 21 kg day−1, nitrogen (N) use efficiency gap of 22 kg grain kg−1 N, phosphorus (P) use efficiency gap of 105 kg grain kg−1 P, and water productivity gap of 0.00010 kg grain L−1 water in rice production systems in Odisha. Among the compared technologies, MTR results in the highest yield, profit, labor productivity, nitrogen-, phosphorus-use efficiency, and water productivity (at par), and is positive for children's welfare and the overall energy productivity, indicating better sustainability and has the potential to replace PTR. Direct seeded rice has the highest yield gap (1.57 t ha−1; 38%) but has the lowest production cost (can reduce the cost of production by $130 ha−1), and the highest greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction potential. SRP PIs are capable for assessing the sustainability of rice establishment technologies except for a few indicators, for example food safety and workers health and safety, which are more applicable to watershed and household level indicators, respectively. The SRP PIs provide scientific evidence and practical impetus for the selection and promotion of sustainable rice production technologies. Image 1 • Significant yield, profit, labor productivity, nutrient-use-efficiency gaps exist with current practice of rice production. • Machine transplanted rice had relatively minimal trade-off than manual transplanting & dry direct seeded rice. • Optimization of fertilizer, water, pesticide, labor, and production costs are necessary for improving sustainability. • Direct seeded rice has the highest greenhouse gas reduction potential than conventional and machine transplanted. • A significant scope exists to further improve the sustainability indicators to well define sustainability of rice production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]