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Climate finance: Analyzing the global movements, actions, and local framings
With emerging trends in industrialization, the globe is facing a rise in greenhouse gas emissions leading to extreme change in climatic conditions. Several connected issues such as melting of glaciers and increase in the level of greenhouse gas emissions are affecting the environment sustainability. The mitigation and adaptation of change in climatic conditions have become the need of the hour. Climate finance is the solution to these problems. Global climate finance in 2021-2022 was approximately $1.3 trillion annually. But much more is required to limit global temperature increases to 1.5C. The challenge of fulfilling global climate financing needed to enable adaptation plans and lower carbon emissions to sustainable levels is one of the significant discussions in the multilateral arena. In this perspective, the chapter analyzes the current actions and movements related to climate finance. The exploration of international, regional, and national instruments of climate finance have been significantly highlighted. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. -
Leveraging artificial intelligence for sustainable development in agriculture: An exploratory study
In a world where sustainability has been given utmost priority, agriculture plays a pivotal role. Artificial Intelligence in the agricultural sector has changed the landscape of agriculture across the globe. 'Agvolution' (evolution in agriculture) including AI supported precision farming methods, data analytics, and robotics is a novel strategy which increases crop yields using less fertilizers, and energy. AI in agriculture supports ethical farming, boost revenue, and lessen negative environmental effects. AI systems aggregate data from weather stations, sensors, and satellites to produce improved weather forecasts. This mechanism enhances environmental sustainability. Despite numerous advantages with AI, the farming community face challenges like data security and privacy, high cost of machines and tools. In light of the above, the authors explore the usage of AI in agriculture to attain sustainability, and analyze the need to establish governance structures for increasing food security and systems to overcome the challenges faced by the farmers. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Emerging Trends in Blue Economy: A Roadmap Through the Lens of Sustainable Development
On Earth, the oceans make up 71% of the land area. Approximately 40% of the worlds population lives in coastal regions with 3 billion people depending on it for livelihood. 80% of the global trade is (en)routed via oceans. A long-term unbalanced usage of marine routes leads to unsettling issues such as ocean-acidification, marine pollution and habitat destruction. This causes disruption towards the attainment of sustainability. To safeguard the oceans and marine life, Blue Economy (BE)" was introduced by the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012. The SDG-14 (life below water) contributes to focusing attention on BE. Till date there is no universally accepted policy towards implementation of BE. However several regions like Africa, Brazil, China, EU and India formulated guidelines towards the implementation of BE. With this perspective, the chapter analyzes the emerging trends of BE as a way forward towards sustainable development. 2025 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Emerging Trends in Blue Economy: A Roadmap Through the Lens of Sustainable Development
On Earth, the oceans make up 71% of the land area. Approximately 40% of the worlds population lives in coastal regions with 3 billion people depending on it for livelihood. 80% of the global trade is (en)routed via oceans. A long-term unbalanced usage of marine routes leads to unsettling issues such as ocean-acidification, marine pollution and habitat destruction. This causes disruption towards the attainment of sustainability. To safeguard the oceans and marine life, Blue Economy (BE)" was introduced by the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in 2012. The SDG-14 (life below water) contributes to focusing attention on BE. Till date there is no universally accepted policy towards implementation of BE. However several regions like Africa, Brazil, China, EU and India formulated guidelines towards the implementation of BE. With this perspective, the chapter analyzes the emerging trends of BE as a way forward towards sustainable development. 2025 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Emerging trends in usage of drone technology: Exploring the ethico-legal frontiers
As an offshoot of technological advancement, the integration of autonomous Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the usage of drone technology has entirely changed the current landscape. Usage of drones in commercial activities, military services, emergency operations has expanded the horizons of human life. But together with this evolution there arise several critical ethico-legal concerns such as privacy and security issues, accountability, and environment impact making its real-world implication a significant concern in the current times. These issues need to be addressed in purview of policy framework and existing guidelines concerning the ethical usage of drone technology. Keeping in view the above, this chapter explores the emerging trends in drone usage through the lens of ethico-legal perspective across various sectors. It also highlights the complexities of its usage with regard to its rapid advancement. Furthermore, the global governance perspective considering responsible use of drones among policy makers and stakeholders is widely examined. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Integral role of blockchain and artificial intelligence in sustainable economic development
Blockchain technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) play variety of roles in sustainable economic growth tackling a range of social, economic, and environmental issues. AI boosts labor productivity and propels economic growth by automating processes and increasing productivity across industries. Transparency in transactions is guaranteed by blockchain's decentralized and unchangeable structure, which is essential for sustainable business processes. Since they foster social inclusion, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability, blockchain and AI are in line with the Sustainable Development Goals. Ultimately, AI and blockchain are formidable tools that advance sustainable economic growth. Their unique set of abilities provides ground-breaking ways to improve performance, inclusion, and transparency across a wide range of industries. Keeping in view the above, this chapter analyzes the integral role of blockchain and AI in enhancing sustainable economic development. It explores the legal framework concerning the usage of blockchain and AI in several regions and countries. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. -
Cyber physical systems: Ethical and legal considerations for a policy design
The Cyber-physical system is an intersection of cyber and physical worlds that supports the coordination of physical systems through cyber models and methods. There are various models and methods that use this intersecting advancement favoring direct and immediate service. Realizing the advantages of CPS, many industrial and service sectors that even have important national and international security concerns incorporate and use them for better productivity and efficiency. This contemporary initiative has favored unparalleled economic growth worldwide, mostly advancing the rich. However, besides having several benefits, it poses many challenges that urge policy-makers and researchers to reflect on a proper policy design by considering various ethical and legal concerns required for its effective functioning. Such a framework is required to ensure responsible governance for the wellbeing of people. In this perspective, the authors critically evaluate the functioning of CPS suggesting a substantial policy framework for its incorporation into the real world. 2025 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Role of Artificial Intelligence in Combating Climate Change: The Green Algorithm
In a globalized tech-driven world, Artificial intelligence (AI) is a powerful weapon, providing pathways to reduce climate change. AI has a wide range of applications against climate change, including predictive analytics, environmental monitoring, and energy management. AI improves predictive analytics, providing information about disaster relief and climatic trends. Cutting-edge models anticipate extreme weather, rising sea-levels, and climate-related phenomena, enabling governments and communities to plan better for the society. AI-driven simulations help with urban planning and creation of climate resilient infrastructure. Application of AI in climate action confronts obstacles despite its potential. Important issues include algorithmic bias, privacy, and effects of computing on environment. To ensure AIs constructive contribution without unexpected consequences and addressing abovementionedconcerns requires strong governance frameworks, ethicalconsiderations, and ongoing research. This chapter examines how AI transforms climate action and enhances environmental preservation. Copyright 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global Scientific Publishing is prohibited. Use of this chapter to train generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is expressly prohibited. The publisher reserves all rights to license its use for generative AI training and machine learning model development. -
Analyzing the evolving landscape of digital food platforms and technology: The digital plate
The scope of global food technology market was estimated at USD 184.30 billion in 2023, USD 202.62 billion in 2024, and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.79% from 2024 to 2034, reaching approximately USD 515.83 billion. Technology is driving the growth of the food industry in various positive ways such as online food delivery in minutes, quality assessment, customer reviews, reducing hunger, and the like. But together with several advantages it also carries concerns like job displacement, food safety/security issues, regulatory compliance, and sustainability. To overcome these challenges, redesigning the digital food plate is critical in the form of concrete guidelines and regulations. Considering the above perspective, this chapter, adopting the analytical method, examines the role of digital and emerging technologies in shaping the food industry. Furthermore, it critically evaluates the way forward towards sustainability. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Leveraging technology for sustainable economic growth: Advancing the SDGs through innovation
Raising long-term competitiveness of national economies is an important requirement with the broad use of digital technologies. In addition to offering the possibility of economic restructuring, information and communication technologies open up new avenues for all citizens to access a range of services, such as first-rate healthcare and education. As a result, these developments promote inclusive growth and significantly aid in the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Significant economic changes that raise living standards and boost global competitiveness can be sparked by the promise of digital transformation within a framework of sustainable development. Keeping in view the above, the chapter thoroughly examines practical and theoretical frameworks pertaining to the application of sustainable development, as well as an assessment of the possibilities for using digital technologies to promotesustainable competitiveness. The relationship between digital inclusion and its longterm effects on global economic development is also analyzed. 2025 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Leveraging cloud technology for sustainable innovation ecosystem: An ethico-legal perspective
Technological advancements affect the environment at great cost. The shift to cloud computing has intensified ethical and legal tensions over privacy, jurisdiction and regulatory requirements. The attention towards the socio-environmental consequences of economic and industrial interference is growing as corporations stress on the sustainable aspects of supply chain and product creation. The transformation of cloud technology to a sustainable innovation ecosystem depends on several ethical practices. The objective of this study is to analyse the critical factors required for the adoption of ethical, legal, and regulatory compliance for cloud technology in a sustainable innovation ecosystem. Design/Methodology/Approach: Under the doctrinal approach, the authors used an analytical method to analyse the ethical and legal perspective for the use of cloud technology in the innovation ecosystem. The authors critically analyse the international, regional and national regulatory guidelines concerning cloud technology. Findings: The study shows the lack of universally accepted framework to regulate the usage of cloud technology in a sustainable innovation ecosystem. Keeping in mind the ethical and legal impact of technology on the society and environment, the study insists global attention. Limitations: The analysis of the ethical and legal implications on the managerial and administrative aspects supports the stakeholders to comprehend the issues (ethical, legal and social) in relation to cloud technology. The study limits to focus on ethical and legal implications concerning usage of cloud technology in innovation ecosystem. Research Originality: This study critically explores the factors responsible for the rising ethical and legal issues in the usage of cloud technology in the tech-driven world. 2025 Ananya Pandey, Jipson Joseph, Amit Joshi and Vikas Kumar. All rights reserved. -
Global SDGs Strategic Policies: Catalyst for Digital Circular Economy
Theworldwide environmentalmovement originated with Rachel Carsons 1962 book Silent Spring, which cautioned the world about the adverse impact of chemical pesticides on ecosystem and sustainability. Thereafter, an unprecedent increase in global warming causing severer and harmful climate changes and environmental instabilities led to the establishment of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). In 2015, the United Nations accepted them into its global agenda for eradicating poverty, protecting the environment, and promoting peace to all people by 2030. Unsustainable development leads to depletion of natural resources, which is not simply a moral or ecological issue but are pertaining to economics, development, human health, and justice. The interconnected 17 SDGs acknowledge that the decision made in one area will have its repercussions in other areas and insist to strike a balance between environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainability. The digital circular economy (DCE) has been well-known in recent years as a tool that answers some of the most urgent cross-cutting sustainable development challenges facing the globe. This model holds great promise for accelerating the 2030 Agendas implementation with the potential to achieve the various goals of sustainable development like SDGs 6 (energy), 8 (economic progress), 11 (sustainable cities), 12 (sustainable consumption and production), 13 (climate change), 14 (oceans), and 15 (life on land). This requires significant changes in the organization of societies and businesses to progress towards sustainable future. Limitations The study is limited to analyze the global SDGs and related policies that are helpful in catalyzing DCE. Findings This chapter analyzes the global strategic plans and policies aimed at enhancing SDGs affirming the significance of digital economy for synergizing with the SDGs. The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2025. -
Advancing Sustainable Agriculture Through Artificial Intelligence: Harvesting Greener Future
The growing population of the globe is expected to reach 10 billion by 2050. Its demands have led to widespread food insecurities and hunger, which conventional farming failed to address. To meet such a grim scenario, the United Nations drafted the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end hunger (SDG 2), promote sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12), and promote life on land (SDG 15). To achieve these goals, the global farming system needs to make a substantial transition by adopting alternative methods and approaches. The concept of sustainable agriculture is an integrated system of animal and plant production practices to satisfy human food and fiber requirements. It enhances environmental quality, efficient use of energy resources, economic viability of farm operation, and quality of life of farmers and society. It has emerged as a viable alternative to meet such goals. Sustainable agriculture practice incorporates the true spirit of the abovementioned SDGs by combining the aspirations of the present and future generations. Smart technologies, which include the use of robotics, intelligent sprayers, satellite drones, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, and climate sensors, appear as supplementary tools for sustainable agriculture to mitigate the accelerated demands of food across the globe. The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI)/IoT technologies has the potential to monitor the agricultural environment to ensure high-quality products. According to the World Economic Forum (WEF), the integration of AI into the farming sector can provide an adequate food supply to the people. Such integration of smart technologies with sustainable agriculture has significant advantages for the world in achieving sustainable development goals. However, smart technologies are not free from challenges due to their novelty, complications related to the control and operation of IoT/AI machines, data sharing and management, interoperability and large amounts of data ownership, analysis, and storage. Keeping in view the above, this chapter explores the integration and interaction of AI-enabled smart technologies and smart agriculture analysing key challenges involved in this regard. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2026. -
Farmers Rights: A Euro-Indian Comparison through the lens of Intellectual Property Rights
Intellectual Property is profoundly contributing to the field of agriculture. It is used in agriculture to reward innovative breeding procedures that produce new varieties. In emerging nations, farmers have a significant role in the political, social, and economic facets of society. Agriculture provides a substantial amount of work and means of subsistence for people. Plant variety protection regulations are distinct from patent law in both India and European countries. Plant variety protection regulations are distinct from patent law in both India and European countries. This study aims to give a comparative perspective between the European and Indian regime's protection of farmers' rights and plant varieties, as well as the effect of international protocols and conventions. The Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers Rights Act of 2001 is examined in this study along with its key components. More significantly, the measures that benefit farmers are emphasised, along with the importance of the awards and recognitions that the Indian government has instituted. This paper therefore aims to explore the state of farmers' rights under intellectual property law in two diverse regions: Europe and India. 2026, National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research. All rights reserved. -
Farmers Right to Seed at the Intersection of Intellectual Property and Human Rights: A Critical Analysis in SocioCultural Context
The interplay between farmers' Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) and Human Rights is significant in socio-cultural transformations. Farmers in traditional and indigenous communities hold centuries of knowledge about biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, and seed management. However, the rise of commercial agriculture, globalization, and stringent IPR regimesoften favoring corporate interestspose challenges to preserving and recognizing this knowledge. This chapter critically examines the intersection between farmers' IPRs and human rights, exploring how evolving frameworks impact cultural identities, societal structures, and the rights of communities to food security, self-determination, and participation in decision-making processes. It discusses the tension between the patenting of genetic resources and the traditional knowledge of farmers, emphasizing the need for equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms. By bridging legal and socio-political perspectives, this chapter aims to highlight policies that uphold farmers' and human rights amidst ongoing socio-cultural transformations. Copyright 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. Copying or distributing in print or electronic forms without written permission of IGI Global Scientific Publishing is prohibited. Use of this chapter to train generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies is expressly prohibited. The publisher reserves all rights to license its use for generative AI training and machine learning model development. -
Technoscientific Impact of Agriculture on Farmers' Seed Sovereignty
Thetechnoscientifictransformationintheagriculturesectorhassignificantlyaltered the traditional seed system that has profoundly affected the rights of the farmers. The evolution of biotechnology including genetically modified crops, gene editing, hybrid seeds protected under the Intellectual Property regime has reshaped the farmers right to seed sovereignty, sharing, saving and exchanging practices. In the Global South, there exist a wide spectrum of conflict between the technological advancement and the rights of farmers. In light of the above perspective, by tracing the historical shift from community based traditional seed knowledge to corporate based seed and patent technologies, this chapter critically analyzes the innovation perspective that undermined the indigenous practices and farmer led initiatives concerning seed sovereignty. Therefore, this chapter calls for a rights based and inclusiveapproachtowardstheagriculturalinnovationthatsafeguardsseeddiversity and traditional knowledge. Copyright 2026 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. -
Trade vis-vis Human Rights of Farmers Under TRIPS
The Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) plays a crucial role in shaping the global intellectual property system that significantly impacts farmers' rights. In agriculture, TRIPS grants intellectual property protection in the form of patents and plant variety protection. Such protection conflicts with the farmer's rights to save, sow and exchange the seeds. This raises human rights concerns related to farmers such as access to genetic resources and their cultural rights, food security, livelihood that are enshrined under various international human rights instruments such as International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and Universal Declaration on Human Rights (UDHR). This intersection between TRIPS and the human rights of farmers requires a more inclusive approach that balances human rights with innovation. In light of the above perspective, this chapter analyzes farmers' human rights integration under the domain of intellectual property rights protected under TRIPS. 2026 by IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Conflict and Coexistence of Human Rights: An Exploratory Study with Reference to Intellectual Property Rights
Human rights and Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) have developed independently. Human rights are inalienable rights associated with human dignity while IPRs are the rights with the goal of promoting innovations and the interests of select communities to further economic and technological growth. The economic and personal interests of the individual have received prime attention under the international intellectual property law. Economic growth is given priority over human rights in the international criteria for IPRs in global trade. Whereas, it has a significant impact on the implementation of human rights for both individuals and communities, including the rights to adequate food, health, environment, and education. IPRs are gravely at odds with human rights, even though a connection between the two rights can be found in General Comment No. 17 on Article 15(1)(c) of the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) and Article 27 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). According to the UDHR, intellectual property is a human right in and of itself, but its enforcement often infringes other human rights. In light of the above perspective, the authors explore the interrelationship between IPRs and human rights and also analyze the evolving IPRs, in different fields of its application, causing adversarial impacts on several other human rights. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2025. -
Intellectual property and human rights of farmers: Striking a balance in the era of globalization
Globalization has fueled a knowledge- based economy, and intellectual property rights (IPR) are a key driver of innovation. Agricultural businesses have traditionally not been linked to IPRs since farming and related processes were deemed common and traditional knowledge. Globalization of agriculture presents both threats and opportunities for innovative ideas and inventions. It creates a complex tension between IPRs and human rights of farmers, particularly in developing countries. IPRs restrict farmers' access to traditional seeds, limit ability to save and exchange seeds, and force them into dependence on patented technology. This dependence led to indebtedness, loss of biodiversity, and decline in food security. Providing farmers with access to information, training, and financial resources can help them to make informed decisions about their farming practices and to negotiate with corporations on equitable terms. Keeping in view the above, this chapter provides a comprehensive roadmap to explore the intersection of globalization, intellectual property, and farmers' human rights. 2025, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved. -
Farmers Rights vis-a-vis Plant Breeder Privilege: Exploring the Issues and Challenges
This chapter highlights the conflict between technical advancement and socioeconomic inequality by examining the complex relationship between biotechnology, farmers' rights, and human rights. Although biotechnology has the potential to improve food security, sustainability, and agricultural production, its use frequently marginalizes smallholder farmers due to seed monopolies and stringent intellectual property laws. The chapter looks critically at how national patent laws, TRIPS, UPOV, and other international legal frameworks disproportionately favor agribusinesses at the expense of traditional knowledge, seed sovereignty, and the right to survive. A more inclusive and equitable governance model that empowers farmers as stewards of food systems and biodiversity is advocated in this chapter by contrasting the technoeconomic agenda of agricultural biotechnology with the human rights imperative. 2026, IGI Global Scientific Publishing. All rights reserved.