Ecology, Economy and Society–the INSEE Journal

Implicit Discount Rate, Energy Labels and Investment on Energy-Efficient Products: A Review

Monalisa Singh — 2024-06-18

The implicit discount rate (IDR) is a decisive factor in household investment decisions, and its modification could promote investment in energy-saving products. However, the discussion on households’ IDR in developing countries is limited. In this regard, the current study aims to provide a detailed review of the IDR across various investment decisions, factors affecting its value, and policy instruments that can influence its value. The study finds that the IDR value tends to be considerably higher than market interest rates. Information and behavioural failures lead to a high IDR and under-investment in energy efficiency, which may be addressed through energy labels. However, the effectiveness of energy labels in addressing barriers and making energy-efficiency information visible to households depends on their visual presentation, time frame (annual or lifetime), units of measurement (physical or monetary), and the content of the information. The review has relevance for policymaking aimed at increasing the adoption of energy-efficient options that reduce household carbon footprints and, in turn, contribute towards realizing the net-zero emissions target.

Legacy Waste Remediation in Karnataka

Kiran D.A. — 2024-02-01

Meal-less Mornings for School-going Children

Ranvir Singh — 2024-06-18

N.A.

Coexistence of Wild Fauna in the City

Ajay Immanuel Gonji — 2024-02-01

Rapid urbanization across the world has drawn attention to the unique state of urban woodlands. New Delhi is one of the world’s most populous cities; yet, it harbours several woodlands that support a variety of wildlife. The persistence of mesopredators like the golden jackal (Canis aureus Linn.) in the city is intriguing and provides an opportunity to explore coexistence in an urban context. Using a combination of camera trapping and occupancy modelling, our study aims to understand the habitat use, distribution, and urban adaptations of the jackal in Delhi’s Central Ridge Reserve Forest. Preliminary analysis shows extensive habitat use and sophisticated adaptations including adjustments in activity patterns in response to human activity and competition from feral dogs. The study also demonstrated behavioural adaptations, particularly in terms of foraging, denning, and coexistence with other species, which enable these urban populations of golden jackals to persist in the city. The study indicates the need for newer frameworks for conservation of synanthropic wild fauna that persist in calorie-rich urban environments.

Ecology of Grasslands of Central Nicobar

Shashank Bhardwaj — 2024-02-01

The tropical grasslands of the Central Nicobar Islands have long been perceived as anthropogenic formations, which has influenced their conservation and management in the region. Despite their ecological and cultural significance, these grasslands have received limited scholarly attention, rendering them vulnerable to alternative land uses and conversion. This study aims to address these knowledge gaps through an extensive vegetation survey, soil analysis, and ethnographic research. The outcomes of the vegetation survey and soil analysis reveal that these grasslands are the result of serpentine soil formations, managed by Nicobari communities by fire. The ethnographic research reveals the cultural importance of the grassland commons and its governance through the tuhet system. Further, the study shows that the access regimes have undergone a rapid transformation during post-tsunami resettlement, endangering local instuitions and the sustainability of the grassland commons of the Nicobars.

The Forest Rights Act and the 2023 Amendment to the Forest Conservation Act

Rajesh Ramakrishnan — 2024-06-19

The 2023 Amendment to the Forest Conservation Act (FCA) has largely been criticised for the loss of forest cover it will cause through diversion of forest land for infrastructure, public utility, and defence requirements. The Amendment makes no reference to the Forest Rights Act (FRA) and its critiques point only to its undermining of the latter. A closer examination of the Amendment from the perspective of the FRA suggests that the Act can not only continue to be used to counter the diversion of forest land, but also that popular mobilisation around it may be the only way to protect both forests and forest-dwellers.