Adaptation must be at the forefront of development interventions: Secretary MoEFCC

Sharm el-Sheikh, November 12: Underscoring the imperative need for finance for adaptation, Ms Leena Nandan, Secretary, MoEFCC pointed out that developing a global baseline to enhance transparency and investor confidence is a crucial measure in enhancing adaptation readiness.

Noting that adaptation must be at the forefront of development interventions, Ms Nandan said, “The institutional arrangement, the action plan and resource mobilization, all have to walk hand-in-hand and see the macro picture through the same lens.” During her address, the Secretary strongly emphasised on the need for information dissemination to strengthen communities for adaptation. When we talk about PPP, we need to redefine it as Pro Planet People, a clarion call given by Prime Minister, she said. We should be able to move in the right direction in a planned and integrated manner. We are cognisant of the challenges that confront us, now is the time for action, she concluded.

Observing that 90 per cent of disasters are related to weather and climate change, Mr Kamal Kishore, Member Secretary, NDMA, and Indian Co Chair, CDRI Executive Committee, emphasized that disaster risk reduction can inform adaptation work. Mr Kishore observed that along with better forecast systems, a deeper engagement with the communities has been the key to disaster risk reduction. He also emphasized the need to update risk assessments.

Emphasising on the need to assess risks sensibly and robustly, Ms Dipa Bagai, Head India Office, NRDC, said, “We need the heat action plans to be implemented with much more alacrity, sensitivity and resources in all the states. Making a good plan is only part of the solution. The important part is that we are able to exercise that solution.”

Taking part in the discussion, Ms. Mardi McBrien, Director of Strategic Alliances, International Sustainability Standard Board (ISSB) said that the board is set out to create one global standard, a global baseline for a global standard of sustainability to develop investors’ confidence and for reporting material, climate and sustainability information to capital markets. ‘It will help move the money from the Global North to developing and emerging economies to help finance the mitigation and adaptation solution,” Ms McBrien added.

Pointing out the need for adaptation mechanisms to be just and inclusive, Ms Rinika Grover, Head Sustainability & CSR, Apollo Tyres, said, “We cannot leave any strata of the community at risk.”

Noting that the extreme weather events witnessed in the past couple of years have been an eye-opener to the deadly impacts of climate change and the urgent need for adaptation, Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, in her welcome address, said, “When it comes to adaptation it is necessary to look into all sectors including food production.”

Identifying the three areas which demand attention in order to enhance the adaptive readiness of India to tackle climate change, Mr RR Rashmi, Distinguished Fellow, TERI, said “It is important to assess the climate risks and vulnerability very clearly; then enhance the adaptative capacity of communities and states to deal with the risks, and finally, the resources.”

TERI’s policy brief on ‘Internationalizing Lifestyles for Environment: Messages for G20’, produced as part of the SDG Charter component of the Act4Earth initiative was launched at the event at the India Pavilion.

Ms Suruchi Bhadwal, Director, Earth Sciences and Climate Change Division, TERI made an overarching presentation on ‘Adaptation Readiness and Long Term Strategy on Adaptation in India’ at the event.

About TERI

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), based in India, is an independent, multi- dimensional research organization with capabilities in policy research, technology development, and implementation. An innovator and agent of change in the energy, environment, climate change and sustainability space, TERI has pioneered conversations and action in these areas for nearly five decades. Headquartered in New Delhi, it has centres in six Indian cities, and is supported by a multi-disciplinary team of scientists, sociologists, economists, engineers, administrative professional and state-of-the-art infrastructure.