Climate resilience in India

Source: This post on Climate resilience in India has been created based on article “Planning for a hotter world” published in The Indian Express on 13^th January 2025.

UPSC Syllabus topic- GS Paper 3- Environment

Context: The article emphasizes the urgent need for India to integrate climate resilience into its financial planning and national priorities. As the country prepares for the upcoming 2025 Budget, the focus on climate adaptation and resilience is critical in the context of rising global temperatures and increasingly extreme weather events.

Why is climate resilience important for India in 2025?

1. On January 1, 2025, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) declared 2024 as the hottest year on record since 1901. Similarly, countries like Brazil, China, and Germany reported record-breaking temperatures in 2024.
2. Rising global temperatures intensify challenges for public health and the economy, emphasizing the need for India to prioritize climate adaptation alongside emission mitigation.

How vulnerable is India to climate risks?

1. A study by the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW) reveals that 8 out of 10 Indians live in districts facing flood, drought, or cyclone risks.
2. Some regions, like parts of Odisha, Telangana, and Gujarat, face combined threats of multiple climate disasters.
3. Climate extremes are now affecting the country throughout the year.

What was the impact of the 2024 heatwaves?

1. 23 states in India are heatwave-prone, and 2024 recorded over 44,000 heatstroke cases and 300 heat-related deaths (Ministry of Health and Family Welfare).
2. Delhi’s peak power demand rose by 16% during a 10-day heatwave, highlighting stress on energy infrastructure.
3. Heat stress affected productivity in sectors like agriculture and dairy, while also impacting water reservoirs.

How are changing monsoon patterns affecting India?

1. Between 2012-2022, southwest monsoon rainfall declined by up to 20% in parts of the Indo-Gangetic plains.
2. Extreme weather events now cause annual crop losses equivalent to 25% of India’s GDP.
3. The Arabian Sea has seen a 52% increase in tropical cyclones over two decades, while flood early warning systems currently cover only one-third of flood-prone populations.
4. States like Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh experienced severe flooding in 2024, including cloudbursts and flash floods.
5. Heavy rainfall events are expected to increase in 2025 and beyond, necessitating improved urban flood preparedness through initiatives like Mission Mausam.

What steps can India take to enhance climate resilience?

1. Detailed Risk Assessments:

• Conduct granular risk assessments for heat stress across sectors and populations, identifying vulnerable groups like children, seniors, and those with chronic health conditions.
• Address heat impacts on livestock and dairy, which contribute 5% of India’s GDP, by using low-cost, renewable energy-based solutions like solar chillers.

2. Revamp Agricultural Practices:

• Nearly 50% of Indian agriculture is rainfed, making it highly sensitive to monsoon variability.
• Revise crop weather calendars for rainfed crops and promote flood- and drought-resistant seed varieties developed by ICAR to reduce crop losses.

3. Strengthen Disaster Risk Financing:

• The Disaster Management (Amendment) Bill 2024 empowers states to form Urban Disaster Management Authorities, aiding city-level resilience.
• Instruments like city resilience bonds and green municipal bonds can mobilize necessary finances for adaptation measures.

Why must climate resilience be a financial priority?

1. Integrating climate resilience into the mainstream of financial planning is not just an environmental obligation but also a sound economic investment.
2. Adaptation measures can mitigate losses across sectors, from agriculture to urban infrastructure, ensuring long-term sustainability and productivity.