Reports

This research project, led by CBalance with support from CAG, aims to create and test practical cool roof solutions featuring reflective and insulating materials to minimize heat absorption through roofs, help lower indoor temperatures,  and reduce heat stress in vulnerable households, especially those without cement (RCC) roofs. The goal is to use sustainable, locally available materials to protect vulnerable people from extreme heat.

Plastic, Policies and People brings grassroots voices into the global conversation on plastic pollution. This report captures insights from waste workers, youth, RWAs, and MSMEs across four cities, highlighting their expectations, concerns, and priorities for the Global Plastics Treaty. It underscores the need for an inclusive, just, and accountable treaty that reflects the lived realities of those most impacted. Through vivid documentation and powerful narratives, the report offers a bottom-up perspective on what a truly transformative plastics treaty must look like.

This first-of-its-kind study explores climate literacy and environmental attitudes among selected Members of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. At a time when climate-informed policymaking is crucial, the report offers valuable insights into legislators’ awareness and perceptions of climate change. By identifying knowledge gaps and highlighting areas of strength, the study lays the foundation for tailored educational initiatives and meaningful climate action in the state.

This report highlights the findings from a survey of the general public’s understanding of road safety issues and rules.  The report sheds light on public perceptions of critical issues like speeding, road safety, pedestrian safety, and awareness of traffic rules. It also provides actionable recommendations to enhance road safety in the State and serve as a guiding framework for policymakers and stakeholders.

CAG conducted a helmet-compliance study across 11 districts in Tamil Nadu in November 2024. The findings revealed low adherence, particularly among adults in districts like Chengalpattu and Kanchipuram and negligible compliance among children. This is despite  India reporting over 4.6 lakh road crashes, resulting in 1.68 lakh fatalities (in 2022), and Tamil Nadu consistently topping the list for road crashes from 2018 to 2022.

CAG's Environmental Law Enforcement Manual seeks to facilitate investigation of environmental crimes. It addresses the challenges faced by various agencies in enforcing environmental laws and provides guidelines for improving inter-agency collaboration, investigation, and prosecution of environmental crimes.

The emergence of smartphones has transformed public transportation in cities such as Chennai. Commuters now have access to various digital tools, such as the MTC’s Chennai Bus Application, to enhance their daily commutes. This report seeks to evaluate how effectively the MTC’s Chennai Bus Application supports its users in their everyday lives and to identify potential improvements for the future.

Following our study on patient perspectives on access to hypertension care through PHCs in Tiruvannamalai, this study looks at doctors' perspectives in treating hypertension. The study examines responses from 25 doctors from a cross section of specialties, looking at diagnoses protocols, patient compliance, reported affordability of treatment etc.

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.