What are the challenges in transitioning to a low-carbon economy?
Technology significantly enhances healthcare in rural areas by increasing access, improving diagnostics, and facilitating education. Telemedicine bridges the gap between rural patients and urban specialists, allowing for remote consultations and reducing the need for travel. For instance, India's eSRead more
Technology significantly enhances healthcare in rural areas by increasing access, improving diagnostics, and facilitating education. Telemedicine bridges the gap between rural patients and urban specialists, allowing for remote consultations and reducing the need for travel. For instance, India’s eSanjeevani platform has provided millions of teleconsultations, ensuring continuous healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mobile health (mHealth) apps enable health monitoring and management, sending reminders for medication and appointments. In sub-Saharan Africa, the M-Pesa mobile payment system supports healthcare payments, improving access to services.
Portable diagnostic devices, such as handheld ultrasound machines, enable accurate diagnoses in remote areas. Programs like Teleradiology Solutions in India allow rural clinics to send scans to urban centers for expert analysis, ensuring timely and accurate diagnosis.
These technological advancements collectively enhance healthcare delivery, making it more accessible, efficient, and effective for rural populations.
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Transitioning to a low-carbon economy presents several challenges for India. Here are some key challenges identified: Administrative and Socio-economic Heterogeneities: India's diverse administrative and socio-economic landscape poses challenges in implementing uniform climate and energy policies acRead more
Transitioning to a low-carbon economy presents several challenges for India. Here are some key challenges identified:
- Administrative and Socio-economic Heterogeneities: India’s diverse administrative and socio-economic landscape poses challenges in implementing uniform climate and energy policies across states and regions. The geographical distribution of costs and benefits of these policies needs to be carefully understood to ensure equitable outcomes and avoid political resistance .
- Political Economy Constraints: Devising politically feasible policies for the transition to a low-carbon economy requires a deep understanding of how these policies would impact different stakeholders. Concerns over disproportionate impacts on poor households, rising inequality, and concentrated costs on specific groups can undermine public support for climate policies .
- Technological and Infrastructural Challenges: Transitioning to clean energy technologies requires significant investments in renewable energy infrastructure, grid integration, and energy storage. Scaling up emerging technologies such as hydrogen, battery storage, and low-carbon alternatives in sectors like steel, cement, and fertilizers also poses technological and infrastructural challenges.
- Economic Implications: The shift to a low-carbon economy may have economic implications, particularly for sectors heavily reliant on fossil fuels. Balancing the need for economic growth and job creation with the imperative of reducing carbon emissions requires careful planning and policy interventions .
- Limited Evidence and Vulnerabilities: Limited evidence on the needs of those affected by the transition and existing social and economic vulnerabilities can hinder India’s ability to achieve a just and equitable low-carbon development pathway. It is crucial to identify potential transitional challenges across income groups, genders, sectors, regions, and communities to ensure an inclusive and fair transition
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