Power generation using fossil fuels on a large scale contributes to global greenhouse gases and, therefore, impacts climate change. Renewable energy sources like solar power are needed to overcome such adverse impacts. Solar energy has received attention in the recent years due to both technological improvements resulting in cost reductions as well as the government policy push for renewable energy development and utilization. This research concerns with the adoption of rooftop solar power as an energy option at household level in the context of smart cities. We conducted a questionnaire survey on a sample of resident households in Pune smart city and analysed various parameters concerning households’ adoption. It has been found that the respondents are less willing to adopt rooftop solar power option for the lack of awareness of energy conservation and climate change issues, lack of financial incentives for the adoption and concern for operational issues that arise after the adoption; the respondents who are aware are more likely to adopt it in a timeframe of 1–3 years. Statistical analysis of various important relationships may be useful for future research on household adoption of renewable energy options, such as rooftop solar power.
The goal of global sustainability has acquired substantial attention as a result of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which serves as a comprehensive framework for addressing major societal and environmental concerns. This study applies bibliometric analysis to assess the landscape of research articles on the SDGs. The study aims to uncover significant trends, thematic areas, influential authors, and collaborative networks within the discipline through a comprehensive examination of an extensive body of scholarly literature. The analysis entailed gathering data from prominent academic database Scopus, spanning a specific time frame. Utilizing bibliometric technique, the study assesses patterns in publication, citation, and collaboration to provide a comprehensive understanding of the research landscape. The analysis dives into the frequency of SDG-related research outputs, identifies theme clusters and goal’s interconnections, and identifies significant works affecting the conversation. The results of this bibliometric investigation reveal evolving trends in SDGs research, identify emergent and established focal points, and shed light on the changing environment of research collaboration. The analysis focused on the progress made in tackling the SDGs across several academic disciplines, while also revealing gaps and potential for future research. The findings of this bibliometric analysis have significance for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners working to advance sustainable development efforts and strengthen the collective knowledge base in support of the SDGs.
The persistence of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) among Indigenous and local communities is often associated with socio-economic constraints, poverty, and lack of choices. Such a perspective argues against underpinning profound environmental consciousness and sustainable practices that underlie TEK. The paper challenges reductionism—viewing TEK solely as a creation of necessity—and tries to argue that it entails a sophisticated understanding of ecological balance and conservation ethics. Through various examples, the paper exemplifies how TEK contributes to environmental sustainability for biodiversity conservation, management and use of natural resources, and the enhancement of resilience to climatic change—the same elements crucial for culture, tradition, and community living.
Conservation of natural resources seeks the proper use of nature, while preservation seeks protection of nature from abuse. Both strategies can work only if the value of nature’s precious resources is understood by masses. In recent decades, concerns have arisen about the valuation of forest areas specially those which are falling within the limits of metropolitan cities of the world. ‘Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES)’ concept, a subcategory of the broader term ‘Ecosystem Services (ES)’ is gaining importance in scientific literature due to the realization of their significant contribution towards human health and well-being. The valuation studies in ecosystem services discourse have been long dominated by ecologists and economists. However, the dearth of literature on social-perception of forest ecosystems, is not only limiting to CES research but also to effective landscape planning, management and decision-making to conserve this important natural resource in cities. This paper critically analyses the importance of CES concept for their conceptualization and classification for place-based values to be used in wider assessment processes. Our aim is to provide an overview of CES evaluation methods and highlight challenges faced during the process of assessment. Based on the conceptual review, we initiate a discussion of requirement of in-depth studies to be conducted from socio-ecological perspective and their integration in policy support tools for urban planning in Indian context.
Electrification of end use activities and power generation from renewable sources are two important aspects of energy sector decarbonization. Due to inherent nature, renewable generation is not reliable unless expensive storage is included in energy system. Cross border electricity trade (CBET) is an effective alternative for reliable RE supply without storage inclusion and also provide economic benefits to the participating countries. In spite of some technical and infrastructural challenges, there is huge potential of CBET in BBIN countries, due to presence of variability in demand pattern and complementarity in supply potential.
