Research
Welcome to WELL Labs’ knowledge repository. As a futures institute that enables research-based solutions and impact, we prioritise making our insights accessible to social innovators, researchers, allied communities and the public at large.
Policy Brief: Augmenting Farmer Income With On-farm Carbon and Water Trade-offs
Agroecology has the potential to mitigate the adverse effects of unsustainable monoculture practices. However, it encounters barriers to widespread adoption, largely due to perceived short-term sacrifices against long-term benefits.
Rural Water and Sanitation in India: Emerging Challenges and Livelihood Opportunities
This report is a rapid literature survey of the rural water and sanitation landscape of India. It aims to converge on identifying the choke points and key issues in rural WASH systems and understand what specific measures are needed to support frontline workers who contribute to better WASH outcomes.
Mapping Water in a Small Town: Insights from Chintamani, Karnataka
We partnered with TIDE and BORDA to conduct an urban water balance exercise for the town of Chintamani in southern Karnataka. Through field surveys and hydrological modelling, we narrowed down on key problem areas and identified possible solutions that will help the town leapfrog to more sustainable water management.
Raichur Roundtable: Equitable Water-Sharing for Sustainable Transitions in Agriculture
Along with the India Climate Collaborative, we convened a roundtable to bring together key stakeholders to discuss the future of water for transformation of agricultural landscapes.
Exploring the use of data and models in transboundary water governance
This study highlights how data and models in transboundary water governance require sensitive, context-aware application, emphasizing political realities, local engagement, and transdisciplinary collaboration for successful cooperation.
Acceptance of On-Site Wastewater Treatment and Reuse in Bengaluru, India: The Role of Perceived Costs, Risks, and Benefits
In dealing with water pollution and freshwater scarcity, on-site treatment and reuse of domestic wastewater has shown to be a promising solution.
How Water Flows Through Bengaluru: Urban Water Balance Report
WELL Labs has prepared a comprehensive view of Bengaluru’s water system, enabling better water security planning.
WELL Labs Launch Event Proceedings: Research and Innovation for an Uncertain Future
Water, Environment, Land and Livelihoods (WELL) Labs was formally launched on July 26, 2023, at the India International Centre in New Delhi. This document summarises the keynote lecture and the panel discussion on what it will take to deliver a future for rural India that is both ecologically secure and economically vibrant.
Challenges and Opportunities for Catalysing Corporate Water Stewardship in India’s River Basins
Given the push for investments in the water sustainability space, businesses need to be better informed about where the big problems lie so that projects can be properly planned and executed. But there’s a data gap. Our comprehensive study of three important river basins — Cauvery, Ganga and Krishna — aims to address this gap.
Farmer Responses to Solar Irrigation in India: Agent-Based Modelling to Understand Sustainable Transitions
We applied an agent-based modeling (ABM) approach to understand farmer choices and transitions before and after solar irrigation in six districts