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Source-This post on Climate Change and Cooperative Federalism has been created based on the article “Cooperative federalism can plug India’s climate adaptation deficit” published in “Live Mint” on 24 June 2024.
UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3– Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment.
GS Paper-2- Devolution of Powers and Finances up to Local Levels and Challenges Therein.
Context– India has seen significant innovations recently, such as Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) like Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), which have greatly improved financial inclusion. These achievements highlight India’s capacity to solve complex issues through innovative solutions
Despite these successes, one of India’s most pressing challenges is its insufficient response to climate change. The slow action in adapting to climate change threatens India’s future, risking the progress made in other areas.
What is the multi-dimensional impact of Climate Change?
1) Environment and Ecology: –Climate change manifests in India through erratic monsoons, extreme heatwaves, rising sea levels, and increased natural disasters. The country faces risks of longer-lasting heat waves and wildfires in forest areas.
2) Agriculture and Food Security -It presents an existential crisis for India, home to a significant portion of the global population. The majority of Indians are vulnerable to climate change-induced disasters, especially those dependent on agriculture for livelihood and food security, which heavily relies on favorable climatic conditions.
What are the issues with Climate Change management in India?
1) Governance and Policy-
A) Initiatives such as the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) have been slow, fragmented, and underfunded, focusing more on prevention than adaptation.
B) The Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change (PMCCC) operates infrequently and lacks adequate staffing.
C) At the policy level, India lacks formal climate legislation, hampering coordinated efforts across federal and state levels.
2) Lack of Financial Capacity of States-
A) State-level units lack the capacity and financial resources to act, despite their responsibility for implementing India’s international commitments.
B) State action plans on climate change, including targets like achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070, suffer from insufficient leadership and limited progress due to resource shortages.
3) Lack of Comprehensive Data-Many Indian workers labor outdoors, risking their safety, productivity, and daily income. Currently, there’s little to no cohesive plan for dealing with extreme heat waves or comprehensive data on illnesses from severe weather patterns.
4) Implementation Gaps in HAPs Across India- Currently, only two out of 37 HAPs in India conduct vulnerability assessments to identify and assist impacted communities. Moreover, HAPs lack the establishment and institutionalization of monitoring systems to ensure adherence.
Read more-Heat Action Plans
5) India’s Development vs. Climate Priorities- India’s main development agenda focuses on helping the poor, while the climate agenda appears more targeted at international forums and wealthy domestic groups. There is a concern that such actions could alienate powerful industrial interests and disrupt the current political and industrial status quo.
What should be the way forward?
1) India must implement strong water conservation measures, building strategic reservoirs, transferring water between basins, and replenishing groundwater through effective policies.
2) Climate-resistant crops must be swiftly developed for each region’s climate conditions, without delay in moving from lab to field.
3) There is a need to invest in long-term programs for afforestation and improve green spaces in urban areas.
4) A national awareness and action plan must be developed involving experts, and it should encourage the private sector to innovate with affordable local solutions.
5) India’s climate adaptation efforts are largely reactive as opposed to being pro-active. Thus, there’s a need for better coordination and resources for local and state-level adaptation plans.
6) Cooperative federalism is essential for the decarbonization of industrial assets and for the adaptation efforts needed to mitigate climate change. Therefore, prioritizing climate adaptation should be a key agenda item for the newly established 16th Finance Commission.
7) Climate action should be treated as a national security issue and integrated into development agendas at all levels of government.
Question for practice
What challenges does India face in managing climate change? What steps should be taken to move forward?
