Sustainable Pathways for South Asia offers an interdisciplinary perspective on advancing climate-resilient and sustainable development across the region. The book examines the intersections of climate change, environmental sustainability, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, food security, water resource management, social equity, and the circular economy, while highlighting emerging solutions such as Artificial Intelligence, Green Hydrogen, the Bioeconomy, and AI-led innovation ecosystems. Through evidence-based research, policy insights, technological innovations, and regional case studies, it provides actionable strategies for climate action, the global energy transition, and international cooperation. An essential resource for researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and students, the book presents a roadmap for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fostering a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for South Asia.

Dr. SK Varshney is a Science Consultant at the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), New Delhi, and a distinguished science policy expert with over 34 years of experience in science diplomacy, international scientific cooperation, research management, and science and technology (S&T) policy. Previously, he served as Adviser and Head of the International Cooperation Division at the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, where he played a key role in strengthening India's bilateral and multilateral scientific partnerships. He also served as Counsellor (Science & Technology) at the Embassy of India in Moscow and represented India at several international scientific forums. His research interests include science diplomacy, research governance, global research partnerships, and science communication. Dr. Varshney has authored more than 70 research papers, policy articles, and book chapters, and actively mentors early-career researchers through lectures, outreach initiatives, and the widely followed Fellowship Varta programme

Dr. NK Prasanna is a Principal Scientist, and Journal Editor for IJBB and IJEB at the CSIR – National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR), New Delhi, India. She is actively engaged in promoting science communication in regional languages and contributes to the Telugu edition of the renowned popular science magazine, Science Reporter. She is associated with the Agriculture and Sustainable Rural Development Division and acts as the Nodal Officer of AP-Science City, India. Previously, she held positions at the NIMH under the Ministry of Mines and the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT-G), where she worked extensively on occupational risks faced by India’s industrial and mining workforce. She received her Ph.D. from the Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi. Her research interests include Biogeochemistry, health diplomacy, scholarly communication, and science policy. She has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and contributes to strengthening of Indian scientific publishing. Dr. NK Prasanna also an active member of the IUCN climate action commission and the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS), which focuses on interdisciplinary research and sustainable development.

Famida Khan is a science policy researcher and analyst specializing in science, technology, innovation, and public policy. She serves as Project Scientist-II (Science Policy & Communication) at the Centre for Science, Technology and Innovation Policy- INSA, New Delhi, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in S&T Policy at the CSIR–National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research, New Delhi. Previously, she was a DST-STI Policy Fellow at the Centre for Policy Research, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. She has contributed to several national policy studies, including the NITI Aayog–INSA report Ease of Doing Research and Development in India. Her research focuses on research governance, energy security, artificial intelligence for sustainability and healthcare, deep technologies, deep science, and science communication. Famida holds an M.Phil. in Chemistry and has received training in STI policy from the Chinese Academy of Science. She is a recipient of the prestigious DST-STI Policy Fellowship.

Susantha Udagedara is Director of the Seagrass and Climate Change Programme at Blue Resources Trust, Sri Lanka. With over twelve years of experience in marine conservation, blue carbon ecosystems, seagrass ecology, coastal restoration, biodiversity conservation, and climate change adaptation, his work bridges scientific research and environmental policy. He has contributed to Sri Lanka's Third National Communication on Climate Change, Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs), the National Red List assessment, and the Sixth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity. He is a member of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Seagrass Specialist Group and Sri Lanka's Blue Carbon Ecosystem Task Force. Susantha holds a Master of Environment Management from the University of Colombo and has received advanced professional training through CSIRO, Australia Awards Fellowship, the Korea Environment Institute, Central European University, and TERI School of Advanced Studies. He has authored around 20 peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and conference papers, and actively contributes to science communication, research mentoring, and evidence-based marine conservation across the Indo-Pacific region.