SANDEE Call for Research Concept Notes

The South Asian Network for Development and Environmental Economics (SANDEE) is inviting research concept notes in any area of environmental and resource economics relating to the development of South Asia and the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH). Of particular interest are concept notes that demonstrate a clear demand from policymakers for their underlying research, although any research idea within the scope of SANDEE that has scientific merit will be considered. The recently published landmark HKH Assessment report, coordinated by ICIMOD under its Hindu Kush Himalayan Monitoring and Assessment Programme (HIMAP), identifies several gaps in the evidence base to take actions to safeguard the mountain environment and improve the livelihoods of people living in the area and downstream. Accordingly, concept notes addressing relevant issues identified in the report will be of particular interest.
We encourage research on issues of interest to national, provincial, and local policymakers in the region, including environmental issues faced by people living in the plains, hills, and mountains. Researchers working in the region (South Asia plus the HKH region) who are affiliated with member universities of the Himalayan University Consortium (HUC), an initiative within ICIMOD, are encouraged to apply. We will consider proposals that critically examine the implementation of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) that each country has submitted to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) under the Paris Agreement. Other areas of interest are urban environmental issues and sustainability, energy access and efficiency, and disaster resilience.
Examples of research previously supported by SANDEE include the following:
1. Country-wide assessments of the linkages between climate change and agriculture and its effect on migration in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan and a case study of incentives for recycling lead acid batteries under India's Deposit-Refund Scheme
2. An analysis of possible payments to farmers for ecosystem services in Bhutan and an examination of biodiversity and economic indicators under different forest management strategies in Bangladesh
3. An evaluation of a REDD+ pilot programme in Nepal on carbon sequestration and socioeconomic changes, and of a livelihood intervention programme in India on farmers' adaptive capacity
Past areas of research include the economics of climate change (impact assessment, mitigation, and adaptation); evaluating programmes and policies for greener development; and valuation of ecosystem services. To review completed research, please visit www.sandeeonline.org/publicationdisp.php?pcid=1