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Winter School on “Natural Capital, Nature-Based Solutions to Climate Change, and Valuation of Ecosystem Services: A Commons Perspective”

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Date: 7–12 December 2026
Venue: Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati, Yerpedu, Andhra Pradesh
Last Date to Apply: 31 October 2026

Mode: In-person for participants from India; Hybrid participation available for participants from foreign countries
Organised by: Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati
In collaboration with: Indian Society for Ecological Economics (INSEE)

About the Winter School
The Winter School explores how the concepts of commons and commoning can strengthen collective stewardship of natural capital, restore shared ecosystems, and contribute to resilient and sustainable futures. The programme brings together three interconnected themes of sustainable environmental governance: Natural Capital Accounting, Ecosystem Services Valuation, and Nature-Based Solutions.

The Winter School adopts an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on Environmental Economics, Ecological Economics, Natural Resource Management, and Political Ecology. It will cover theoretical and empirical developments related to natural capital, sustainability, nature-based solutions, climate change, loss and damage, and ecosystem services valuation.

Key Themes
•    Natural Capital Accounting
•    Governance of Natural Capital and Commons
•    Sustainability and Well-being Measurement
•    Nature-Based Solutions and Climate Change
•    Loss and Damage Assessment
•    Monetary and Non-Monetary Valuation of Ecosystem Services
•    Interdisciplinary Approaches to Environmental and Ecological Issues

Intended Participants
The Winter School welcomes Master’s students, PhD scholars, early-career researchers, practitioners, and government officials working in areas including economics, environmental science, sociology, geography, public policy, natural resource management, climate change, development studies, forestry, water, agriculture, rural development, and climate adaptation and mitigation.

Programme Highlights
The six-day programme will include:
•    Foundational lectures by domain experts
•    Empirical applications and case-based learning
•    Hands-on labs and software/tool tutorials
•    Panel discussions and interdisciplinary conversations
•    Mentoring groups for research development
•    Research proposal development and presentation
•    Poster presentation and interdisciplinary research incubation

Participants will work in small mentoring groups throughout the Winter School and develop a research proposal to be presented on the final day.

Expected Outcomes
The Winter School aims to build capacity among researchers, practitioners, and government officials in natural resource accounting, ecosystem services valuation, and assessment of non-economic loss and damage. It will also facilitate interdisciplinary research, strengthen networks among researchers and practitioners, and encourage potential joint research and publications.

Registration Fee:
•    PhD Scholars / Early-Career Researchers / Working Professionals: ₹6,000
•    Master’s Students: ₹3,000
•    Participants from Foreign Countries: USD 150 (Hybrid Participation)

The registration fee covers administration, course materials, lunch, snacks, and the field trip. Hostel accommodation will be available at IIT Tirupati on a payment basis.
Application: Applicants are required to submit a 500-word reflection on how the theme of the Winter School resonates with their experiences and learning.

Contact:
hs24d503@iittp.ac.in
csbahinipati@iittp.ac.in