Publication Series on Ecology 35: From climate change to ecosystem degradation the solution to these problems could reside in an economic “valuation” of nature and its services. But can that really give nature any better protection? This publication provides a readily understandable introduction to the subject and illuminates the concepts and instruments that follow from the idea of monetarizing nature

India's energy policy - traditional as well as renewable form of energy production - depends on natural resources. A new study looks at experiences and governance challenges in key energy-relevant resource sectors: coal, uranium and renewable energy (solar and wind), as well as at issues arising from the transnational involvement of Indian companies in energy resource acquisition.

Clinical Trial industry in India has seen phenomenal growth in recent years without strong regulatory framework and very little knowledge of factors relating to human participation in these trails. SAMA’s research documents participant perceptions and experiences, highlighting the need of accountability, transparency and ethics in the clinical conduct of trials.

Since a few years, urban middle-class based protest movements – against corruption and against rape – have emerged in India. A new study by Richa Singh revisits the dynamics of these movements and looks at their role in the sudden rise of India’s party of popular protest, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

"India's role in world economy and politics has rapidly expanded in the last 20 years, but much of Indian civil society takes little interest in these important developments. The Voluntary Associations Network of India (VANI) has created a resource book that analyses "India's Global Footprint" in fields such as trade, investment, and development cooperation, and looks at the country's role in international forums (BRICS, G20)

"Social security for women in India, despite the existence of multiple Government sponsored schemes, is not tackled efficiently. These schemes still fail to reach the most marginalised women in society

The report captures state policies from perspective of climate change mitigation and concludes that states though being the main implementer of mitigation policies do not have “climate friendly” policies.

This second issue of "Perspectives Asia" provides a forum for the voices of authors from various Asian countries to express their thoughts on possible development models for the region. How can we achieve prosperity for all, without doing long-term damage to nature or threatening the subsistence of entire populations?

Consumption of meat is rising – and globally, it's the fast-growing Asian middle classes pushing the trend. To satisfy demand, the world’s farmers will need to boost meat output from a current 300 million tonnes to 470 million tonnes by 2050, drawing on double the amount of water to grow animal feed.