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

Young, healthy people may not get Covid vax until 2022: WHO

World Health Organization (WHO) chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan on Thursday said that young and healthy people may have to wait till 2022 to get the Covid-19 vaccine. Swaminathan also stressed that health workers and those at highest risks should be prioritised

Sri Lanka FM calls for advancing e-commerce and e-governance in Commonwealth states

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena leading a delegation to the 20th Virtual Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) in the sidelines of the 75 UN General Assembly Wednesday (14 October 2020), called for innovative thinking, collective and integrated strategies to address the multi-dimensional and cross cutting challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic

UNHRC's credibility hangs in balance

Has the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) lost its credibility, much like the World Health Organization? Many heads are nodding in affirmation after both China and Pakistan, the global hotspots for major human rights violations, were last night re-elected to the UNHRC

Violence undermines efforts for Afghan peace talks: UN

A UN mission said on Thursday that the ongoing violence in Afghanistan's Helmand province has undermined the efforts for "progress and building bridges between parties at the historic peace talks in Doha"

UN-led donor conference for urgent humanitarian support for Rohingyas

The United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees will co-host a donor conference on October 22 to promote support for Rohingya refugees and host countries

Pakistan is not isolated, says UN envoy

Pakistan’s re-election to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) with an overwhelming majority refutes the claim that the country has been isolated in the international community, Islamabad’s top UN diplomat said on Wednesday

Efforts against Islamophobia to continue: PM Imran Khan on UNHRC re-election

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday expressed his pleasure over Pakistan’s re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and pledged that the country would “stand resolute against Islamophobia and in support of mutual respect”

UNHRC draws flak over election of China and Pakistan as members

While rebuking the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) over the election of China, Russia and Cuba as its members, the US on Wednesday said its stand to withdraw from the council two years ago, has been vindicated

India warns of 'grave' global threat from countries arming terrorists

While reiterating its commitment to universal nuclear nonproliferation and no-first use (NFU), India warned on Wednesday against the serious global threat from countries arming terrorists with conventional weapons

Pakistan, Nepal re-elected to UN Human Rights Council; China sees sharp drop in support

Pakistan and Nepal have been re-elected to the UN Human Rights Council, while China won a seat by the smallest margin showing a drastic drop in standing

Migratory bird species face extinction, need global protection: UN treaty head

Migratory bird species are in danger of extinction globally. International cooperation is must. The Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Secretariat in Bonn is working closely with India to conserve them, says its Executive Secretary Amy Fraenkel

2020 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to UN World Food Programme

The 2020 Nobel Peace Prize was on Friday awarded to the UN World Food Programme (WFP) for its "efforts to combat hunger"

Maldives' Nasheed appointed Climate Vulnerable Forum’s Ambassador

Climate Vulnerable Forum Leader Summit, which was held virtually on Wednesday on the sideline of 75th United Nation General Assembly, appointed Nasheed as its thematic ambassador for ambition

39 countries at UN call for monitoring of rights situation in China

A group of 39 cross-regional United Nations member countries led by Germany has rebuked China for widespread human rights violations in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Tibet, expressing 'grave concerns' about abuses

UN concerned over growing violence against women in Bangladesh

In the wake of recent rape cases, the United Nations (UN) has expressed serious concerns over the growing violence against women in Bangladesh and called for justice