Category: Policy Review

Abstract This essay critiques the persistent criminalisation of begging in India, identifying this approach as not only inconsistent with India’s constitutional ethos but also largely ineffective in addressing the root causes. By referring to incidents of beggar eviction during high-profile visits and citing a lack of comprehensive data on such measures, the paper proposes Rajasthan’s… Continue reading Moving Beyond Criminalisation: Embrace Rajasthan’s Progressive Model of Rehabilitation for Beggars in India

Today, most of the world agrees on the existence of a climate crisis and the urgency with which it must be addressed. Recently, a study said, “Dietary shifts away from animal-based foods can make a substantial contribution to the reduction of the UK’s environmental footprint” (Scarborough et al., 2023, p.590). This checks out, too, because… Continue reading Save the world, skip the meat: A look into the efficacy of this strategy

All of us have seen cars with green number plates gliding gleefully through heavy traffic. One must give credit to the fact that standing in line behind such vehicles at a traffic light does not make you cough or feel congested. This is because these run on electrically charged batteries. Since these vehicles don’t produce… Continue reading Can Electric Vehicles (EVs) transport the world’s aspiration of being Carbon Negative?

In the fiscal budget of FY23, the finance minister announced India’s plan to issue sovereign green bonds to finance public sector initiatives aimed at reducing carbon intensity. The introduction of India’s first sovereign green bonds represents a significant step towards sustainability, aligned with the country’s five critical climate action elements known as “Panchamrit”, as outlined… Continue reading Sovereign Green Bonds: Fuelling India’s Sustainability Revolution 

Benjamin Franklin once said, “When the well is dry, we know the value of water,” which is appropriate for our current response to climate change. The climate concern is now global; awareness has increased, and actions have become collective. Global diplomacy has intensified, resulting in the formation and ratification of treaties and agreements. Samaaj, Sarkaar,… Continue reading Global Climate Agreements: We are still not out of the woods

A strong and vibrant community’s role remains central in building resilience and adapting to a changing climate. Around the world, there is a growing consensus on the critical role of community-level initiatives and traditional indigenous knowledge regarding climate change (Shen, 2021). Rather than considering the community as a mere mechanism to implement a centralised idea… Continue reading Climate Change Mitigation through Community-Centred Localised Development

The universal demon of climate change and our never-ending war against it has a long history. In this battle against climate change, carbon pricing mechanisms have emerged as a vital tool on both the national and international stages. These frameworks, such as carbon taxes and cap-and-trade systems, aim to make emissions costlier, encouraging individuals, businesses,… Continue reading Carbon Pricing, A Vital Lever In The Fight Against Climate Change

Urban areas are increasingly defined by concrete jungles, pollution, flash floods, and heat islands. In fact, NITI Aayog estimates that nearly 65% of India’s energy is consumed for space cooling and heating, with this demand set to rise eleven-fold by 2037-38 (Michael & Gautam, 2023). As cities grapple with these challenges, a sustainable solution emerges:… Continue reading Green roofs: A sustainable solution for reclaiming urban spaces

As countries convene at COP-28 to collectively address climate challenges, this essay unveils the transformative promise of the Reduced Carbon Emission (RCE) market. In the face of climate change challenges, we must explore solutions addressing environmental issues while providing economic incentives for businesses. The “Reduced Carbon Emission” (RCE) market emerges as a promising approach, establishing… Continue reading A Sustainable Future: The Transformative Potential of the Reduced Carbon Emission (RCE) Market