The Government of India’s vehicle registration dashboard, Vahan, recorded the registration of over 18.1 lakh e-rickshaws across the country as of November 2024. E-rickshaws are seeing widespread adoption since they do not require a separate permit and are relatively more affordable as they are also backed by supportive government subsidies. A less physically taxing alternative to cycle rickshaws and a more environment-friendly alternative to internal combustion engine (ICE) three-wheelers, e-rickshaws are often the prime mode of transport in small towns and villages. E-rickshaws also offer first-and-last-mile connectivity in urban areas and are used by about 60 million daily passengers in India.

The COP29 climate summit at Baku ended with a disappointing outcome on climate finance. Even after three decades of international negotiations on climate change, progress has been slow. Why is it so hard for countries to agree on climate action?

There were disappointments amid the headlines as the gavel came down on the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP29, in Baku, Azerbaijan. COP29 did achieve some notable outcomes, particularly on Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, which lays out how countries can trade carbon credits to achieve their climate targets. Meanwhile, climate finance — 2024’s overarching theme — sparked intense debate over its sources and definitions. A headline figure was agreed upon, but developing nations were left seeking greater clarity and stronger commitments.

India’s micro, small and medium enterprise (MSME) sector stands at a crossroads as industries rapidly adopt advanced technologies, like robotics and automation, while also transitioning to cleaner fuels and technologies to cut greenhouse gas emissions.