CATEGORIES

The Aluminium-Air Battery: The Holy Grail for India's EV Market?
TerraGreen

The Aluminium-Air Battery: The Holy Grail for India's EV Market?

In this article, Manish Vaid says aluminium-air (Al-air) batteries offer a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries for the Indian electric vehicle ecosystem. As India makes strides towards adopting other sustainable mobility options such as green hydrogen as transportation fuel, compressed biogas, and ethanol blending, it has also begun its quest for alternative battery technologies such as sodium-ion and Al-air.

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8 mins  |
May 2023
Elephant Ecosystems in Decline - Points towards Conflict between Elephants and Humans
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Elephant Ecosystems in Decline - Points towards Conflict between Elephants and Humans

Study examining habitats across centuries reveals an urgent need for sustainable land-use and conservation strategies to avoid dangers for wildlife and human communities. Global space for Asian elephant habitats has been in rapid decline since the 1700s, a new report reveals. More than 3 million square kilometres of the Asian elephant's historic habitat range has been lost in just three centuries and may underlie present-day conflicts between elephants and people.

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3 mins  |
May 2023
Hiccups in the Himalayas - Reading the Warning Signs in Uttarakhand
TerraGreen

Hiccups in the Himalayas - Reading the Warning Signs in Uttarakhand

Joshimath, also known as Kartikeyapura named after Kartikeya, the God of Katyuri kings and the son of Lord Shiva, is the ancient and picturesque town in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, which has been breaking for some time now, however, the urgent appeals to mend it has been ignored every time. The town lies in seismic zone V, which makes it the most active earthquake prone area in the Indian Himalayan geographical region and is anyway precariously positioned when it comes to frequent as well as high intensity earthquakes. Read on to know more...

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3 mins  |
May 2023
Healthy Aging During Global Warming: New Discovery Could Hold The Key
TerraGreen

Healthy Aging During Global Warming: New Discovery Could Hold The Key

Researchers have long known that many animals live longer in colder climates than in warmer climates. New research in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) nematode worms suggests that this phenomenon is tied to a protein found in the nervous system that controls the expression of collagens, the primary building block of skin, bone and connective tissue in many animals

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2 mins  |
April 2023
Sweet Or Toxic? Water Pollution Woes In Sugar Industry
TerraGreen

Sweet Or Toxic? Water Pollution Woes In Sugar Industry

The dietary consequences of eating excessive sugar have been discussed and examined thoroughly, to the point where anyone and everyone is aware of controlling their sugar intake. However, an over-looked threat that sugar poses comes from how it is processed. Anita Khuller, through this article, throws light on how sugar production may be deadly for the health of our water bodies and ultimately ours, if not properly controlled and monitored

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6 mins  |
April 2023
"We Need to Shift Focus and Look at the Opportunities Arising from Green Transition"
TerraGreen

"We Need to Shift Focus and Look at the Opportunities Arising from Green Transition"

Namita Vikas is the Founder and Managing Director of auctusESG LLP, a global firm providing strategic advisory on sustainable finance, climate transition, ESG, and climate risk management. Here, she is in a conversation with us for TerraGreen

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4 mins  |
April 2023
Feldheim: Hundred Per Cent Energy Self-Sufficient Village in Germany
TerraGreen

Feldheim: Hundred Per Cent Energy Self-Sufficient Village in Germany

After his participation in the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD) 2023 as a Media Fellow from TERI in March 2023, Abhas Mukherjee reminisces his visit to the village of Feldheim, which is one of the most remarkable concepts for supplying enterprises, private households and local government with renewable energies on a decentralized, self-sufficient basis. He learnt how it is possible for communities to be supplied 100 per cent energy with heating and electricity from indigenous, renewable energy sources. The project owes its success to the brilliant partnership between the municipality of Treuenbrietzen, the residents of Feldheim and the project developer, Energiequelle GmbH

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6 mins  |
April 2023
Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue: Facilitating Discourses on Global Energy Transitions
TerraGreen

Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue: Facilitating Discourses on Global Energy Transitions

India aims to achieve an ambitious target of generating 500 GW renewable energy by 2030. With this target, India aims to meet 50 per cent of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2030. So, we are currently witnessing a significant energy transition in the country. As a media fellow from India for BETD 2023, Abhas Mukherjee got a unique opportunity of interviewing and networking with the stakeholders of energy transition in Germany, Europe, and the world. In this article, he gives an overview of the deliberations at BETD 2023 along with some glimpses into Indian participation at the event

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4 mins  |
April 2023
Linde India's CSR Initiatives: In the North Sundarbans
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Linde India's CSR Initiatives: In the North Sundarbans

As an organization, Linde is committed to giving back and uplifting the communities in which it works and operates through its various CSR projects. Linde’s CSR activities in India include projects to improve road safety, education and healthcare for the underprivileged, disaster relief and rehabilitation assistance, and measures to promote sustainability and environmental protection. The organization has been working across India in various initiatives in the aforesaid areas, partnering with local communities and non-profits

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3 mins  |
April 2023
Green Holidays: Concepts of Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism
TerraGreen

Green Holidays: Concepts of Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism

In this article, Heemal Handoo Bhat dwells into the concept of green holidays or ecotourism. Green holiday chiefly involves holidaying in destinations where birds, animals, and cultural legacy are the chief attractions. Ecotourism strives to provide tourists a deeper knowledge about the impression of human beings on their surroundings and to facilitate a genuine acknowledgement of the natural habitats

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3 mins  |
April 2023
Evolving Animals of the Pyro Age
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Evolving Animals of the Pyro Age

Animals have been evolving since a long time in order to fit the challenges posed by climatic conditions. Jnyanam Bordoloi is absolutely right when he says species evolve over time, in order to survive and eventually thrive, in some of the most difficult environments created by climate change. When we know which species are leading the race for survival, we can work for the conservation of the ones who are at risk, and the fragile ecosystem they hold

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6 mins  |
April 2023
Health Hazards Posed by Sanitary Pads
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Health Hazards Posed by Sanitary Pads

In this article, Dr Rina Mukherji discusses revelations made by a recent study on menstrual products. Undertaken by Toxics Link, this study reveals the rampant use of plastics and plasticizers in sanitary pads – the most popular menstrual product used by Indian women

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4 mins  |
April 2023
Protecting Our Agro-ecosystems: The EbA Way
TerraGreen

Protecting Our Agro-ecosystems: The EbA Way

The repercussions of climate change are becoming increasingly real and frightening with each passing day. While global warming has had a significant impact on modern agriculture, interestingly, the sector is also one of the contributors to climate change. Indiscriminate use of chemicals and exploitation of natural resources is making the agri-sector increasingly unsustainable. However, we can overcome this challenge by nurturing and restoring our agroecosystems. This can address multiple issues—ranging from food security and livelihoods, to the general well-being

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6 mins  |
April 2023
The Role of Water Quality in Early Child Nutrition: A Case Study in Uttarakhand
TerraGreen

The Role of Water Quality in Early Child Nutrition: A Case Study in Uttarakhand

Water is an essential component of healthy growth and development, and ensuring access to clean water, adequate sanitation, and good hygiene is crucial for early childhood nutrition. In this article, Kanhaiya Lal and Vidhu Gupta highlight that as part of the nutrition security study, their team examined and collected scientific evidence on water quality in Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand, India. This was investigated through on-site testing of drinking water samples and in-person consultations with medical experts. Keep reading to know more…

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6 mins  |
April 2023
The Villages of India: Through an Indian Perspective
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The Villages of India: Through an Indian Perspective

In this article, Himanshu Kumar and Vivek Kumar say that a new tradition of scholarship must evolve to understand the village systems at the conceptual and theoretical levels. The way rural and village has been historically interpreted and understood needs refinement as the colonial imprint has distorted the existing fabric of the rural social systems. Agriculture, peasantry, land use, social systems and infrastructure, and indigenous technical knowledge systems need a more profound understanding of structural-functional and comparative analysis approaches

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10 mins  |
April 2023
5 Ways India Can Ensure The G20 Supports Business To Deliver A Cleaner And Sustainable Future
TerraGreen

5 Ways India Can Ensure The G20 Supports Business To Deliver A Cleaner And Sustainable Future

In this thoughtful article, Rasmus Valanko and Gitika Mohta say that we are in the decisive decade for climate action. Global emissions must be cut in half by 2030, to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. With India's presidency of the G20, India has a unique opportunity to chart a healthier, safer, more sustainable future not just for its own citizens but also for others on our shared planet.

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4 mins  |
March 2023
Achieving Sustainable Development through a Cohesive Response
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Achieving Sustainable Development through a Cohesive Response

In 2016, Dr Ash Pachauri founded the POP (Protect Our Planet) Movement alongside Dr R K Pachauri. With a key focus on climate action and sustainable development, the POP Movement mobilizes and mentors young people around the world, inspiring them with knowledge to undertake projects and implement actions in their schools, colleges, communities, and homes. In this interview, Dr Ash Pachauri reflects on the foundational idea behind the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the need to move away from silo-ed approaches towards collaborative and coordinated action, especially with the active leadership of business and industry among other stakeholders, promoting community engagement, and the unique opportunity for India to represent the Global South in the G20.

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4 mins  |
March 2023
Enhancement of Conscious Consumerism By Integration of Sustainable Natural Pigments in Textiles
TerraGreen

Enhancement of Conscious Consumerism By Integration of Sustainable Natural Pigments in Textiles

In this article, Mehak Kaur and Mayurika Goel highlight that the Natural Products Group at the Sustainable Agriculture Programme of TERI is working on red pigment production by naturally occurring coloured microbes for application in the textile industry. Creation of colours through fermentation of non-pathogenic fungi on agricultural waste-based media can be used to produce pigments with bioactivities such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer and others in a sustainable way.

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2 mins  |
March 2023
Need for Nations to 'Mainstream' Sustainable Development With Inclusive Policymaking, Societal Participation, Innovation
TerraGreen

Need for Nations to 'Mainstream' Sustainable Development With Inclusive Policymaking, Societal Participation, Innovation

Dr Rajiv Chhibber is Vice President, External Affairs at Sahajanand Medical Technologies, a leading developer and manufacturer of minimally invasive coronary stent and vascular systems. In this interview, he reminisces launching the first-of-its-kind Heat Action Plan for the city of Ahmedabad, which is now a role model for many states who have embarked upon the same. It was also the first city in South Asia to create a comprehensive early warning system and preparedness plan for extreme heat events fuelled by climate change. Keep reading to know more...

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5 mins  |
March 2023
Tourism in India through the Lens of Sustainability
TerraGreen

Tourism in India through the Lens of Sustainability

In this thought-provoking article, Swati Sharma and Palak Khanna say that tourism in India contributes significantly to the economic sector and it has high growth potential as well. Therefore, sustainability in tourism has become imperative in today's scenario. Promotion of sustainable tourism can enable mindful utilization of existing resources and sensitization of tourists with behavioural nudges.

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5 mins  |
March 2023
Plastic Waste Management in India Importance of Data
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Plastic Waste Management in India Importance of Data

In India, plastic waste management has long been a challenge and is considered an issue mainly due to the lack of infrastructure, efficient systems for collecting and processing plastic. In this analytical article, Mandavi Singh has considered estimates of all plastics for the reporting year 2018-19 to understand the plastic production, consumption and end-of-life data along with the recycling from available data sources. This is to develop a clear comprehension about the plastic scenario in India and to develop a quantitative understanding of the size and nature of major commodity plastic production, consumption, and waste flows in India.

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3 mins  |
March 2023
Enhancing Livelihood of Farmers and Forest-dependent Communities Through Carbon Financing Mechanism in India
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Enhancing Livelihood of Farmers and Forest-dependent Communities Through Carbon Financing Mechanism in India

Carbon financing is a result-based mechanism that allows companies wishing to offset their GHG emissions to buy carbon credits generated from their projects. In this crisp article, Aniruddh Soni tells us that TERI is developing several Carbon Finance projects via Voluntary Carbon Markets in the AFOLU sector. The beneficiaries involved in the carbon finance project developed under ARR are small-scale farmers, who are practising sustainable agroforestry practices within their private farmlands. On the other hand, REDD+ projects aim at benefiting the forest-dependent communities along with the forest department.

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3 mins  |
March 2023
Mainstreaming Sustainable Development through Climate-Smart Agriculture By Promoting Evidence-Based Research
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Mainstreaming Sustainable Development through Climate-Smart Agriculture By Promoting Evidence-Based Research

The Resilience project supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Norway) has tested and validated selected integrated climate smart agriculture (CSA) technologies in Odisha and Assam states in India over the last four years. Farmer-led demonstration trials were conducted with the active support of project partners and multi-stakeholders. In this article, Udaya Sekhar Nagothu, Mehreteab Tesfai, and Amaresh Kumar Nayak present two good practices of CSA and their key research results.

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5 mins  |
March 2023
Climate Change, Migration and Vulnerability to Trafficking Exploring the Extent and Impact
TerraGreen

Climate Change, Migration and Vulnerability to Trafficking Exploring the Extent and Impact

In this incisive article, Daljeet Kaur and Ritu Bharadwaj present empirical evidence on the links between climate change, migration, and trafficking and explore the extent and impact of climate change on distress migration and human trafficking in two diverse areas affected by slow-onset and rapid-onset climatic events. The research conducted by International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and supported by Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) unpacks the underlying drivers that policymakers should target to deal with this nexus.

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6 mins  |
March 2023
Ensuring Reservoir Sustainability under Changing Climate A Case Study on the Salaulim Reservoir, Goa
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Ensuring Reservoir Sustainability under Changing Climate A Case Study on the Salaulim Reservoir, Goa

In this succinct article, Dr Ashwini Pai Panandiker says that very few studies have addressed the climate change impact on multi-purpose reservoir performance and deriving adaptive policies for possible future scenarios. Considering that the political and technical measures to adapt to climate change take place at a local level, site-specific studies are urgently needed. To address this, a case study on the Salaulim reservoir in Goa was undertaken. Read on to know more...

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4 mins  |
March 2023
Indo-German Climate and Environment Cooperation Adds a New Highlight on Forests
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Indo-German Climate and Environment Cooperation Adds a New Highlight on Forests

Preserving India's precious wetlands and fighting the global threat of marine litter, protecting the beauty and importance of the Himalayan regions, ending landfills of waste and creating green jobsIndo-German Climate and Environment Cooperation addresses a wide range of topics. Both countries have been working together since more than 60 years bilaterally as well as internationally. Further, India has been a priority country in particular for the International Climate Initiative (IKI) of the German Government from its start in 2008 support climate action and biodiversity conservation. Read on to know more...

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5 mins  |
March 2023
Hariyali Gram Empowering Rural India to Lead the LIFE Movement
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Hariyali Gram Empowering Rural India to Lead the LIFE Movement

In this succinct article, Charu Lata and Akanksha Golchha highlight the transformative Hariyali Gram initiative in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra states in India. Hariyali Gram is a women-led initiative with an emphasis on policy implementation and scalable business solutions for the adoption of climate-friendly solutions at the village level.

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5 mins  |
March 2023
Pioneering Climate Finance in India TCCL Helping India to Realize its Climate Goals
TerraGreen

Pioneering Climate Finance in India TCCL Helping India to Realize its Climate Goals

Climate Finance has always been viewed as a public sector initiative. India's ambitious plans were constrained by the inadequate capacity of such institutions to meet the agility, innovation, and deep understanding required to finance dynamic cleantech sector. TCCL has played an important role in mainstreaming of emerging sectors such as solar rooftop, energy efficiency, electric mobility, and water treatment. TCCL has been able to do this by developing a profound understanding of the rapidly evolving sector including technical, commercial, regulatory, contractual, and E&S expertise. In this succinct article, Manish Chourasia says about challenges to crowd-in capital from global north and role of TCCL in channelizing these funds.

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7 mins  |
March 2023
India's G20 Presidency Delineating Economic and Emissions Growth and Promoting Energy Transition
TerraGreen

India's G20 Presidency Delineating Economic and Emissions Growth and Promoting Energy Transition

G20 presidency serves as a big opportunity for India, to raise this challenge that emerging markets face, around delinking economic and emissions growth and promoting energy transition, and garnering suitable solutions from the global community in terms of finance and technology. Towards this, it may focus on scaling up risk mitigation mechanisms, financing mechanisms, Just Transition, integrating a risk-return-impact lens, and creating an enabling ecosystem. This insightful article by Namita Vikas looks further into each of these areas.

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5 mins  |
March 2023
India's Leadership at the G20 - All Nations to Benefit from India's Stewardship
TerraGreen

India's Leadership at the G20 - All Nations to Benefit from India's Stewardship

In this stimulating article, Aarti Khosla highlights that the G20 mantle allows India the opportunity to influence the energy track discussions, while emphasizing the need for energy security and demonstrating rapid investment in clean energy goals.

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5 mins  |
March 2023