Reports

The Pedestrian Plaza project in Pondy Bazaar, under the Chennai Smart City Initiative aimed to create pedestrian-friendly spaces by relocating street vendors to a dedicated complex. CAG’s study, surveying 350 customers and 170 vendors, found that 94% of vendors reported changes in their income post-relocation, with 64% experiencing an increase. Among customers, 71% viewed the relocation positively, while 29% indicated they missed the street shopping experience.

The Helmet Conundrum: A study by CAG surveying 520 parents and 145 helmet shops in Chennai reveals that only 25% of children wear helmets, with 12% using adult helmets. Shocking findings considering that children are amongst the most vulnerable of road users and the parental instinct is to prioritise safety of their children, even over their own.

This report details CAG's findings on the impact of the Meendum Manjappai campaign on both consumers and vendors, with the study covering eight districts in Tamil Nadu. Meendum Manjappai is a flagship campaign of the Government of Tamil Nadu which promotes the use of cloth bags, thus reducing the reliance on single-use plastic (SUP) carry bags in the state.

In documenting the voices of hypertensive patients from our pilot study in Tiruvannamalai district, we found an overwhelming number of respondents to be satisfied with their hypertension healthcare services provided through PHCs and the Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam scheme. These services  are certainly improving access to healthcare, particularly among the lower sections of the rural community. However, aspects of the programme still need improvement. Read our report to know more. 
 

CAG's survey in Chennai highlights the everyday challenges faced by livelihood cyclists. Cyclists reported a stark lack of safe cycle paths and parking facilities. Better infrastructure and courteous motorists will go a long way to creating safer spaces for our cyclists.

This report analyses sustainable practices among school students in Chennai, through a range of questions on their daily routines. It looks particularly at sustainable mobility, electricity consumption, water usage, and waste disposal, offering valuable insights to drive positive change.

CAG conducted a baseline study for the Tamil Nadu Climate Change Mission, funded by the Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Tamil Nadu, to understand climate literacy. The findings suggest that we need to intensify our efforts to familiarise students and people with the science behind climate change.

Delving into the environmental attitudes of college students in Tamil Nadu, our study reveals that students have a fondness for nature, a commitment to conservation, but show neutrality on key issues such as eco centric concern. Additionally, we convened a workshop involving academicians, researchers, environmentalists, and journalists to revisit the existing UGC environmental studies curriculum. The outcome report and model syllabus from this workshop serves as an addendum to the main report.

This report analyses various carbon offset methods implemented in India to facilitate effective climate action. The approach involved conducting an in-depth analysis of secondary literature and interviewing field experts. It aims to inform policy making, raise awareness of genuine offset options, emphasize the irreplaceable importance of actual emission reduction, and steer clear of false solutions.

This report analyses the environment, social, and governance disclosure practices within Tamil Nadu's power sector. It meticulously evaluates current practices, identifies gaps, and suggests strategies for improved sustainability. By aligning with industry standards and offering actionable recommendations, it seeks to bolster transparency, accountability, and pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future in the state's energy sector.