Photo: Dr. Rajendra Shende

Beyond Earth Overshoot Day: Why Humanity Needs an Earth Budget Framework

If Earth Overshoot Day falls on 30 July in 2026 , humanity is currently effectively requiring nearly one and three-quarter Earths to sustain its present patterns of production and consumption.

Climate Security Becoming South Asia’s Biggest Strategic Threat: Need for Regional Framework for Risk Assessment and Mitigation

Climate change is reshaping national security in South Asia. Military preparedness, though important, cannot make up for decaying infrastructure, failing water systems, or recurrent economic disruptions brought on by extreme weather. Governments must expand the definition of security to incorporate climate resilience as a central strategic goal.

Indus Waters Treaty and the Limits of Control: India Cannot Restrict Flow to Pakistan, Only Optimise Use

Even full development of India’s permitted hydropower and storage rights under the Indus Waters Treaty expands utilisation, but does not translate into control over downstream flows into Pakistan. The debate, therefore, is not about the ability to stop water. It is about how effectively each side uses what geography and law already permit.

India's Net-Zero Commitment and Energy Transition: Need to Avoid Disruptions in Job Security and Livelihood Opportunities

A just transition in India therefore requires targeted, context-specific strategies—supporting coal-dependent regions, strengthening reskilling and social protection (especially for informal workers), and aligning sectoral decarbonisation with employment generation. Ultimately, the transition’s success will depend not only on reducing emissions, but on its ability to protect livelihoods and enable inclusive, equitable growth.

More on Climate, Sustainability and Energy

'Misplaced, exaggerated': India rebuts UNHRC criticism on new IT rules

India has described the concerns raised by a special branch of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) as "misplaced, exaggerated and disingenuous"

Ship fire caused significant damage to planet: UN on MV-X Press Pearl incident off Colombo

The sinking of a container ship that caught fire while transporting chemicals off capital Colombo has caused “significant damage to the planet” by releasing hazardous substances into the ecosystem, the UN representative in Sri Lanka said

UN Secretary-General has informed G7 about Bangladesh’s ability to produce Covid vaccines

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has informed the Group of Seven (G7), a political forum comprising the world’s seven largest advanced economies, about Bangladesh’s ability to produce Covid-19 vaccines at their recent summit

India abstains from voting on UN resolution on Myanmar; stands with ASEAN initiative

India on Friday abstained from voting on the United Nations General Assembly's (UNGA's) resolution for an arms embargo against Myanmar, saying it did not correspond to its views

Forced displacement at record level globallyl, despite COVID shutdowns: UNHCR

The number of people fleeing wars, violence, persecution, and human rights violations, rose last year to nearly 82.4 million people, a further four percent increase on top of the already record-high of 79.5 million, recorded at the end of 2019

Famine risk spikes amid conflict, COVID-19 and funding gaps: WFP

The impact of conflicts old and new, climate shocks and COVID-19, in addition to a lack of funding, have left millions more on the verge of famine than six months ago, the World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday

Myanmar: Timely support and action by Security Council ‘really paramount’, says UN Special Envoy

The UN Special Envoy for Myanmar said on Friday she has called for timely action from the Security Council in response to the ongoing crisis in the Southeast Asian country stemming from the military coup in February

UN human rights experts alarmed by ‘organ harvesting’ allegations in China

UN human rights experts recently said they were extremely alarmed by reports of alleged ‘organ harvesting’ targeting minorities, including Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghurs, Tibetans, Muslims and Christians, in detention in China

Guterres: Bring crimes of sexual violence in conflict out of ‘the shadows’, punish perpetrators

Sexual violence in conflict “reverberates down generations” and threatens both human and international security, the UN chief said on Thursday in his message for the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict

Guterres appointed to second term as UN secretary-general, promises 'breakthrough'

The UN General Assembly on Friday appointed Antonio Guterres to a second term as the secretary-general to lead the world body through the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic and the fight against global warming, which he has made his priority

Suicide one of the leading causes of death worldwide: WHO

New research published by the UN health agency on Thursday revealed that suicide remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide – taking more lives each year than HIV, malaria, breast cancer, war and homicide

UN chief urges debt relief extension for middle-income countries

Innovative measures to address debt are required to help the world’s more than 100 middle-income countries expand their economies and exit the COVID-19 pandemic, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told the General Assembly on Thursday

Restore land to help deal with global climate crises; Indian forestry project gets Land for Life award

World leaders are rallying support for a coordinated and coherent approach to reverse the loss of healthy land in light of the role it can play in the global efforts to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and to deal with the crises of climate change and the loss of biological diversity

Bangladesh seeks roadmap from UN for repatriation of Rohingya refugees

Bangladesh has demanded a clear roadmap from the United Nations on the repatriation of the forcibly displaced Rohingya people to neighboring Myanmar

‘Digital dumpsites’ study highlights growing threat to children: UN health agency

The health of children, adolescents and expectant mothers worldwide is at risk from the illegal processing of old electrical or electronic devices, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday, in a landmark new report on the toxic threat