Centre of Excellence in Public Policy, Sustainability and ESG Research

Abstract:

The main goal of initiating the policy work on sports event activities was to study their impact on the environment and the people.  It is hardly noticed that sports event generates huge carbon footprints through transportation, waste arising from the event, energy used for the event etc. While in past decade academicians have started to undertake the untouched topic.

In India such a study has not been undertaken, with India becoming a major global player with capacity to host major international events, this study becomes quite relevant. As a result of it this study has been done regarding two major activities which constitute the larger portion of carbon footprints arising from a sports event.

1. Transportation

2. Waste

Reason of Selection of the different variants: Dr. Nick Watanabe, Grace Yan and Christopher McLeod, three academician specialists in Sports Management conducted a research few years ago on how sports event affect the quality of the air. The team studied the impact of the National Football League (NFL) games on the local air.1 While United States of America has number of popular sports league but NFL can be considered as drawing the biggest crowd of all. In the word of the research team, the NFL which draws almost 60,000 people per match is played at the stadiums which are larger and played all across the country. These criteria were taken in contention on deciding the venues and event of the research.

The above research has also helped in guiding me during my current work in determining various things for the on-field research. There were however number of challenges in terms of collecting the data in Indian scenario as majority or almost all of the previous research has been done in countries outside India.

Abstract:

This policy recommendation is timely, as the Global AI market is projected to grow significantly, underscoring the need for an IP framework that supports and guides the responsible integration of AI in the creative industry The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has enabled machines to autonomously generate creative works, challenging traditional notions of authorship and ownership under the Copyright Law. Existing copyright frameworks were established with a human-centered understanding of creativity, limiting their applicability to AI-generated content. This research explores the legal gap surrounding attribution of authorship and ownership of AI-generated works, addressing the lack of clarity in recognizing AI's creative contributions and assigning rights accordingly.

To address this gap, a doctrinal research approach is adopted, examining legal, philosophical, and technical dimensions of AI-generated creativity. Key findings reveal that human creativity, characterized by personal expression and judgment, fundamentally differs from AI-driven creativity, which is a product of algorithmic processes. Current copyright laws do not adequately address these differences, resulting in ambiguities around ownership, accountability, and enforcement of rights for AI-generated works. Furthermore, the absence of clear guidelines for categorizing AI-generated content by its dependency on AI input leads to inconsistent legal interpretations and limits the protection available to human creators and AI developers.

To mitigate these issues, the paper proposes a Three-Stage Model for attributing authorship and ownership of AI-generated content. This model seeks to balance innovation with equitable legal rights by categorizing works based on the degree of AI involvement, establishing protocols for revenue distribution to rightful creators, and minimizing legal disputes. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of accountability for copyright infringement caused by or of AI-generated content. Implementing these provisions could foster a regulatory environment that protects creators and encourages responsible AI development, ultimately promoting an ecosystem where human and AI contributions to creative fields are acknowledged and rewarded.

Abstract:

The intersection of climate change and electoral choices is increasingly critical as environmental challenges pose significant risks to social, political, and economic stability. This study investigates how climate concerns shape voting behaviour in India, where issues like inequality, climate-induced migration, and resource scarcity are intensifying. Conducted in Karnataka’s Anekal Taluk, with data from over 1623 participants, this research examines the role of climate awareness on voter preferences in the context of the upcoming 2024 general elections. Despite rising global concerns, Indian political parties have historically overlooked climate issues in electoral campaigns, primarily due to competing economic priorities and political costs. Findings indicate that, while climate change is recognized as a key issue, immediate socio-economic needs often take precedence among voters. Notably, 52% of voters in this study prioritized personal choice in voting, with climate issues ranking lower in importance compared to concerns like jobs, inflation, and local development. The study underscores the importance of integrating climate policies into political manifestos while addressing voters’ immediate needs, bridging the gap between electoral rhetoric and actionable climate strategies.

Abstract:

TThe policy paper examines India's current food fortification policy to combat hidden hunger or micronutrient deficiencies from a public health perspective. India faces global food and nutritional security challenges due to a lack of research on long-term fortification implications, which pose risks of overdosage.

Food fortification is a crucial health policy issue in India. The Indian government's initiatives to distribute iron-fortified rice in Public Distribution Systems (PDS) and major food programs raise concerns, especially for marginalized populations who rely on PDS and other food programs for sustenance. Based on a Public Participatory Analysis study conducted in Jharkhand in 1872 responses in 4 districts on the distribution of iron-fortified rice distribution, observed lack of awareness and the perception of ‘fortified rice kernels’ as “plastic rice”, alongside its antagonistic effects on specific diseases, particularly for people with infections like Malaria, Tuberculosis, or haemoglobinopathies like Thalassemia and Sickle Cell Anemia or whom excess intake of iron is strictly contra-indicated has led to resistance from marginalised populations concerning its safety.

The paper proposes India should reconsider voluntary fortification over mandatory fortification for marginalised populations, considering the long-term effects of overloaded nutrients and traditional nutritional well-being methods from risk-benefit analysis. Also, the policy paper advocates for a human rights approach with six cross-cutting principles to address the causal relationship between nutrient interventions and food fortificants, highlighting the importance of balancing fortified and natural foods in nutritional science and public health.

Abstract:

The empirical study examined public perception of risk amongst various stakeholders including law enforcement personnel, the future contours of conflict and how sustainability rests on a critical balance of climate change and development. The paper argues that every environmental harm cannot be treated as a crime. The state has an obligation to navigate the intrinsic challenge of maintaining a climate system balance (environmental harm vs. development) ensure development for the well-being of the people and alleviate the lives of the most marginalised.

The paper recommends a model to assess for harm principle environmental harm vs. human/non-human risks. It gives out guidelines for assessing environmental harm and crime. (b) The empirical study helps to understand how public perception creates risks of increasing friction between individuals- society-institution. From the analysis of the empirical study the paper identifies the future contours of conflict. (c) The paper also develops a framework for assessing the geographically specific and culturally relevant contours by proposing a see-saw model with state acting as a fulcrum. Both models have been submitted for copyrighting with the government of India.

Abstract:

The study examined the influence of social norms on the education of girls. The field study was undertaken in four senior secondary schools in District Baramulla, Kashmir and District Mansa, Punjab. Unlike the social norms approach, the results showed that education, particularly of girls exists in a social norms ecosystem which is prohibitive to enable them to pursue higher education.

While the study highlights the importance of tradition and culture in achieving our sustainable development goals, it recommends the importance of the state and the civil society as an interagency to enable and empower change through cooperative behaviour. Unlike the social norms approach, the results showed that education, particularly of girls exists in a social norms ecosystem which is prohibitive to enable them to pursue higher education. While students supported that their autonomy is the key to decision making but the social norms often override their choice. The only manner to break through the social norms' ecosystem is through cooperative behaviour of the society and/or the existence of an agency wherein State has a key role. The paper proposes the Social Norms Change and Resistance Theory (SNCRT) which argues that social norm change is a constant process of change and resistance. It is triggered when silence is broken against the norm as a justice seeking behaviour. In response to such behaviour, there is a strong counter silencing behaviour to reinforce the norm which creates a dialectical tension between resistance and compliance. The tension is not exclusive to the norm in question. Instead, the tension is created by the sum of mutually supporting primary and associated norms which create an ecosystem of norms peculiar to the society adhering to the norm. Each of these norms are identified through their own sub reference groups which exists within the reference group and exert their own power and influence.

Abstract:

The research has been conducted to explore and highlight the importance of leveraging indigenous knowledge of the communities of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (hereinafter NBR) which have been developed and accumulated over generations through their close interaction with local environment in enhancing climate resilience. The study was conducted to examine the potential of traditional practices for carbon sequestration and climate adaptation. The study on four Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): Todas, Irulas, Kurumbas, and Kotas, who have developed sophisticated environmental management practices through generations of interaction with their local ecosystem.

The research revealed a rich tapestry of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) and the collection methods of Non-Timber Forest Product (NTFP) among indigenous communities in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve, contributing significantly to climate resilience. The study also revealed significant potential for carbon sequestration through indigenous land management practices in the Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve. Traditional agroforestry systems, employed specially by the Irula and Kurumba communities, were found to be effective carbon sinks. During the research various components of TEK were identified which can effectively contribute towards the climate resilience.

The research establishes that most of the indigenous knowledge are highly adaptive and can definitely increase biodiversity. At the same time, Ecosystem Based Adaptation approach can be adapted for climate resilience that can also ensure food Security. In addition to this most of the practices can significantly contribute towards creating carbon sink both in above ground carbon in trees (AGC) and below ground carbon in land use land cover classes (BGC in LULC).

Although this pilot study establishes that the PVTGs of NBR have a rich heritage of indigenous knowledge, which if adapted can create a huge impact on climate resilience. Yet a steep departure was observed during the field study that the younger generation (population less than 35years of age) is not very keen in practicing the indigenous knowledge system, as they find it to be less rewarding.