The production of liquid biofuels is rapidly increasing in developing countries, due mainly to the establishment of large-scale biofuel feedstock plantations. This results in potential socio-economic benefits, particularly in terms of agricultural employment, as well as risks,which tend to be context-specific.
The rapid increase in food prices in many countries has led to substantial media attention on agriculture. This publication does not attempt to cover everything there is to know about agricultural ecosystems. Rather, it tries to present well documented facts and figures to better understand the challenges facing the sustainable management of agricultural ecosystems.
This paper does not seek to privilege sanitation at the expense of other sectors. Rather, it seeks to prioritise sanitation, alongside safe water, as part of an integrated approach to development.
The objective of the Terrestrial Carbon Group is for terrestrial carbon to be effectively included in the international response to climate change.
The current debate on biofuels has now been raging for while. Within the European Union, it has increasingly drawn the attention of politicians, civil servants and society at large. The policies of the EU itself have come under particular scrutiny in this regard. With this paper, Both ENDS presents an overview of the considerations, dilemmas and contradictions involved, many of which have so far been insufficiently addressed.
Integrated water resources management (IWRM) has emerged as a popular ideology in the water sector since the 20th century. From a highly techno-centric approach in the past, it has taken a new turn worldwide, following a Habermasian communicative rationality, as a place-based nexus for multiple actors to consensually and communicatively take decisions in a hydrological unit.
This paper provides an objective analysis of present day trends in renewable energy in India. Without going unnecessarily into the history and evolution of this sector in the Indian context, the paper seeks to take stock of the current focus and initiatives.
Primary milling of rice, wheat and pulses is the most important activity in food grains. These grains are grown in almost all parts of India. Few decades ago, these food grains were processed at family level before cooking. Today, due to industrialization and global competitive market trend, it has emerged as a major
Human-induced climate change is a major and growing concern to U.S. policymakers and citizens who need the best available science to inform their decisions. This report responds to that need by synthesizing the large and growing body of science that deals with how climate is changing, and the impacts of these changes on the United States, now and in the future.
This paper begins by describing the existing architecture with regard to international funding for environmental actions, focusing on two pre-eminent institutions within this architecture: the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the World Bank. In many respects, the current situation is tending to
The need for the integrated Kashang HEP, located in the Sutluj basin which stores 9412 MW power potential being 46% of the total hydro power potential of the state, has therefore been considered in context of power shortage in Northern Region. The discharge characteristics of Kashang and Kerang khads is also favourable with unique parameter i.e.
The impact of human activities on the earth's climate has been receiving increasing attention with the recognition of the problem of global warming. The fact that a range of initiatives need to be taken to arrest the pace and reverse the accumulation of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions is widely accepted. However, the implications of such initiatives
Sainj Hydro Electric project would require land some of which is being acquired form private persons. The construction of the project will also involve under ground works, transportation of large quantities of material, more than usual activity in the area and therefore, all this is likely to have an impact on the lives of people living in the area. H.P.
The global economy is facing a
In the context of an alarming increase in the farmers’ suicide, the Government of Maharashtra announced a Special Package of Rs. 1,075 crore for six districts of Western Vidarbha (December, 2005). Subsequently,
The Ministry of Environment and Forests has identified a number of wetlands for conservation and management under the National Wetland Conservation Programme and some financial assistance is being provided to State Governments for various conservation activities through approval of the Management Action Plans. The National Environment Policy recognizes the numerous ecological services provided by wetlands and emphasizes on the need for setting up of a legally enforceable regulatory mechanism for the identified wetlands.
To meet the requirements of the research community, a high resolution daily gridded temperature data set for the Indian region was developed. For this purpose, daily temperature (maximum, minimum and mean) data of 395 quality controlled
Air quality standards provide a legal framework for air pollution control. An air quality standard is a description of a level of air quality that is adopted by a regulatory authority as enforceable.
Non compliance with emission standards: show cause notice from West Bengal Pollution Control Board dated 26.06.2008.
Climate change represents a new and somewhat daunting topic for many businesses. The challenge is compounded by the diverse and uncertain projections of changes in temperature, precipitation patterns, extreme events, and other effects. This paper outlines a sensible business approach to analyzing and adapting to the physical risks of climate change. It focuses on a critical first step in assessing these climate impacts: understanding the potential risks to business and the importance of taking action to mitigate those risks.
