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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Reimagining the urban future of Global South
Cities in the Global South are growing at an unparalleled pace, driven by migration and economic shifts. This rapid growth widens the 'urban services divide', with nearly 30% of urban residents living in informal settlements. In Mumbai's Dharavi, a self-organised ecosystem thrives — 65 million Indians drive grassroots innovation, with its $1-billion recycling economy repurposing 80% of the city's waste. These communities demand inclusive planning integrating them into the formal urban fabric rather than erasing them. The informal sector also dominates employment, accounting for up to 80% of jobs in some regions. Recognising and supporting these dynamics is crucial to creating equitable urban economies. Public-private partnerships and community-led initiatives, like Medellín's cable cars transforming hillside slums into connected neighbourhoods, offer scalable models for other cities. The demographic surge also increases demand for housing and transportation. Governments must prioritise infrastructure projects, catering to growing populations without compromising sustainability. Indore, crowned India's cleanest city for six consecutive years, achieved this through decentralised waste management and citizen-led composting. The climate crisis poses an existential threat to our cities, where extreme weather events are increasingly becoming more frequent. These impacts exacerbate vulnerabilities, particularly for low-income populations. In Surat, AI-powered flood warnings now protect informal settlements, while Bangkok's Chulalongkorn Park — a 'sponge city' project — absorbs monsoon rains through terraced wetlands, blending disaster resilience with public art. Climate justice must be a cornerstone of urban policy. Initiatives such as India's National Action Plan on Climate Change and Brazil's innovative use of green infrastructure in São Paulo offer valuable lessons. Singapore's emphasis on water-sensitive urban design further illustrates how localised strategies enhance resilience while addressing environmental challenges. Nature-based solutions — such as mangrove restoration and urban forests — not only bolster biodiversity but also provide natural buffers against the climate crisis. For coastal cities like Jakarta and Mumbai, these measures are critical. Localisation of SDGs also involves rethinking urban priorities. Cities like Nairobi are focusing on electrifying public transport to reduce carbon emissions, while participatory budgeting in Brazil empowers communities to decide how public funds are allocated, ensuring development aligns with local needs. Achieving sustainable urbanism requires socio-technical transitions — investing in renewable energy, rethinking urban spaces, and promoting mixed-use developments. Curitiba's integrated transport, Kigali's eco-friendly planning, and Nairobi's 3D-printed plastic pavers exemplify how cities can pioneer sustainable change. The circular economy can significantly cut urban waste. Recycling and resource recovery can create self-sustaining systems that minimise environmental impact. Governance is key to sustainable cities. Decentralised systems, as seen in Kerala, enhance resilience and inclusivity. Public-private partnerships can also drive change; Singapore's Housing and Development Board collaborates with private entities to deliver affordable housing. Technology-driven governance, such as mobile apps for real-time civic engagement, fosters transparency and trust between governments and citizens. The Global South holds a rich repository of indigenous technologies and architectural practices that can inform sustainable development. Traditional techniques, such as passive cooling in Indian architecture or rainwater harvesting in African villages, offer low-cost, high-impact solutions. Modern adaptations of these practices are underway. The Auroville Earth Institute in India has revived ancient construction techniques using compressed stabilised earth blocks, reducing reliance on energy-intensive materials. Countries like Mexico and Vietnam are also exploring vernacular architecture to build climate-resilient homes, incorporating locally sourced materials and traditional construction methods. Collaboration across the Global South is crucial. Platforms like BRICS and the C40 Cities network facilitate knowledge exchange, while the International Solar Alliance, co-founded by India and France unites 140+ nations in sustainable energy initiatives. Joint research on climate resilience and shared investments in green infrastructure amplify regional impact. Brazil and India have partnered on renewable energy projects, while African nations are developing transnational infrastructure, such as railways and energy grids, enhancing regional connectivity. The Global South must lead with its own playbook. It is time to abandon 20th-century paradigms that blindly replicated western models designed for a different planet and era. Today, we inhabit a world reshaped by climate urgency and technological leaps, where solutions must emerge from local realities, not foreign blueprints. Dikshu C Kukreja is managing principal, CP Kukreja Architects, and honorary consul general, Republic of Albania. The views expressed are personal
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Business Standard
21-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Business Standard
Mission LiFE may be merged into national action plan on climate change
Currently, the NAPCC has eight active missions across sectors like water, energy, and agriculture, aimed at addressing climate change Puja Das New Delhi Listen to This Article The government is considering adding Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) to the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), according to two sources. Currently, the NAPCC has eight active missions across sectors like water, energy, and agriculture, aimed at addressing climate change. The incorporation of Mission LiFE into the NAPCC aims to better quantify the needs of individuals and businesses while creating awareness, a government official said. Prime Minister Modi had pitched for Mission LiFE at the 26th Conference of the Parties (COP26) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The mission was officially launched in October
Hindustan Times
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
India witnessing severe climate impacts on Himalayan region: Bhupender Yadav
Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav on Friday said that the country is witnessing severe climate change impact due to which glaciers are retreating threatening the future of water security for populations downstream. 'The science is clear. Himalayas are sounding alarm. As a consequence of global warming due to human activity, glaciers are retreating, threatening the future of water security for populations downstream,' said Yadav in his address at the Sagarmatha Sambaad, a multi-stakeholder meeting on mountains and climate change being hosted by Nepal while adding that the livelihoods of mountain communities are threatened despite contributing the least to the climate crisis. 'The Himalayas bear a significant part of the burden of the environmental crisis. We in India, with our significant Himalayan territory, witness these impacts first-hand. We share the concerns of the mountain States and their peoples. Our environmental futures are intrinsically linked,' he said. Yadav said the future of mountain communities will be dependent on collective action of all nations in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in keeping with the principles of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities. 'South Asia has been responsible for only 4% of global cumulative carbon dioxide emissions until 2020, despite being home to almost 25% of the global population,' Yadav said while flagging that the global carbon budget is rapidly being exhausted with the developed nations continuing to disproportionately grab the meagre remaining carbon budget. 'Their commitments to providing climate finance, technology transfer and capacity building have been profoundly neglected, intensifying the climate crisis for which they bear far greater responsibility,' Yadav emphasised. Yadav said India is committed to contributing to climate action with the urgency it demands, despite our minimal role for the crisis it faces. 'Our Nationally Determined Contribution under the Paris Agreement, and our National Action Plan on Climate Change, are a testament to our resolve. So are the ambitious targets for renewable energy – aiming for 500 Gigawatts of non-fossil fuel based installed electricity generation capacity by 2030 – our leadership in the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, and our long-term goal of reaching net zero by 2070, are all testaments to our resolve,' he said. As part of the plan for the Himalayan region, under the 'ek ped ma ke naam' campaign, 1.42 billion saplings have been planted, including 72.1 million trees in the Indian Himalayan Region. India is also implementing a dedicated National Mission focused on sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem, promoting climate-resilient agriculture, and enhancing disaster preparedness. 'We understand that solutions for mountain regions must be context-specific, integrating indigenous knowledge with cutting-edge science and technology,' he said. Further, India is also developing its first National Adaptation Plan (NAP), which aims to develop a roadmap that aligns with sustainable development goals and ensures climate resilience for all sectors and regions including the Himalayan region, he said. India conducted the first Snow Leopard Population Assessment between 2019 and 2023, indicated a total of 718 snow leopards across India, accounting for approximately 10–15% of the global population. Based on present challenges facing the Himalayan region, Yadav called for enhanced scientific cooperation including strengthening research collaboration, and monitoring cryosphere changes, hydrological cycles, and biodiversity; building climate resilience: Investing in climate adaptation measures, early warning systems for disasters like Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), and climate-resilient infrastructure in mountain areas; empowering mountain communities: Ensuring that the welfare, needs and aspirations of local communities are at the heart of policy-making and their benefit from green livelihoods and sustainable tourism, among others. HT reported on May 13 that glaciologists and local communities mourned the loss of Nepal's Yala glacier, believed to be the first Nepalese glacier to be declared 'dead'. HT reported on April 21 that snow persistence in the Ganga basin this year has been 24.1% below normal — the lowest in the past 23 years, vis-a-vis 30.2% above normal (the highest) in 2015 — which could lead to reduced flows in early summer, as per ICIMOD. Snow persistence over the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region has plummeted to a 23-year record low, registering a staggering 23.6% fall from the long-term average. This unprecedented level of reduced snow cover, which measures the fraction of time snow remains on the ground after snowfall, underscores a significant and growing threat to water security of nearly 2 billion people who are dependent on the HKH's river systems, ICIMOD said, adding that the alarming statistic is compounded by the fact that 2025 marks the third consecutive year of below-normal seasonal snow across the region. On March 21, the World Meteorological Organisation said the period between 2022 and 2024 witnessed the largest three-year loss of glacier mass on record. Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday launched Nepal's nationally determined contribution 3.0 for 2035 period.
Hindustan Times
02-05-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Indian agriculture's response to global warming
The impact of global warming is no longer a distant threat—it is a daily reality felt in the parched fields of Rajasthan, the flood-hit rice belts of Punjab, and across India's climate-vulnerable agri-ecosystem. Agriculture, the backbone of India's rural economy and a livelihood for more than 50% of the population, is increasingly at the mercy of erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, unseasonal hailstorms, and rising temperatures. Though India is only a marginal contributor to global emissions, it bears a disproportionate burden of climate-induced agricultural vulnerability. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has already flagged India's agricultural sector as highly sensitive to climate variability. Now, with 310 out of 651 agricultural districts classified as 'highly' or 'very highly' vulnerable, this crisis demands urgent and collective action. Fortunately, the Indian government is not standing still. Through the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and its embedded National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA), a strategic policy framework aims to improve ecological sustainability, climate resilience, and water-use efficiency. But are these measures enough? Let's take a closer look. The Per Drop More Crop initiative has introduced micro-irrigation to address water stress. The Rainfed Area Development Programme promotes integrated farming systems to reduce climate risk. Soil health is being revived through schemes encouraging organic and judicious fertiliser use. The Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture and the National Bamboo Mission further reinforce efforts for sustainable agriculture. Perhaps most crucially, the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and the Weather-Based Crop Insurance Scheme are shielding farmers financially from unpredictable crop losses. While these insurance schemes are essential, adaptation—not just risk compensation—must be our long-term goal. India's scientific establishment, through the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), has pioneered the National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project. With over ₹1,060 crore allocated, NICRA focuses on climate-resilient technologies, district-level risk assessment, and building adaptive capacity among farmers. A key achievement under NICRA is the development of 2,900 new crop varieties over the past decade, with over 2,600 designed to tolerate biotic and abiotic stresses such as drought, flood, salinity, and extreme temperatures. These scientific breakthroughs represent India's readiness to adapt at the genetic level of agriculture. Furthermore, 448 Climate Resilient Villages (CRVs) have been piloted across 28 states and union territories. In Rajasthan alone, 35 CRVs across 13 districts are helping farmers adopt innovative practices—like zero tillage, direct seeding of rice, and water-saving irrigation—to withstand climatic extremes. Despite these policy and scientific advances, systemic challenges persist. Awareness and adoption of climate-resilient technologies remain low in many vulnerable regions. Insurance coverage is uneven, and schemes like PMFBY often face implementation bottlenecks. The fragmented landholding pattern, absence of robust climate data at the farm level, and limited extension services further slowdown impact. Additionally, the climate crisis exacerbates farmer distress in states like Punjab, where drought and desertification are altering soil profiles and cropping patterns. Such shifts threaten not only food security but also the socio-economic fabric of rural India. To complement government-led missions, India's agri-startup ecosystem is rapidly emerging as a powerful enabler of climate-resilient agriculture. With over 2,000+ agri-startups across the country, this new generation of innovators is deploying AI, IoT, remote sensing, and satellite-based analytics to provide real-time, hyperlocal advisories on weather forecasting, irrigation cycles, and soil health management. From low-cost drip systems to climate-smart greenhouses, and from bio-based inputs to precision farming solutions, startups are democratising access to climate innovation while accelerating on-ground adoption. The ministry of science and technology and the ministry of education have spearheaded landmark investments to establish Technology Innovation Hubs (TIHs) and Centers of Excellence (CoEs). These initiatives represent a bold, structured approach to funding cutting-edge research, deep-tech startups, entrepreneurial capacity building, human skilling, and global-industry partnerships. Programmes like the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber Physical Systems ( ₹3,660 crore) and the CoE for AI in Agriculture, Healthcare, and Sustainable Cities ( ₹990 crore+) are at the heart of this transformation. At the centre of this movement is iHub AWaDH at IIT Ropar, supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under NM-ICPS. With a budgetary outlay of ₹110 crore+, iHub AWaDH has built one of India's most diverse deep-tech portfolios in agritech and water-tech, now comprising 140+ startups, collectively valued at over ₹1,300 crore. These startups have raised ₹102 crore+ in external investments, with ₹17 crore deployed internally through government-backed funding programs like DST NM-ICPS, Startup India Seed Fund, MeitY Startup Hub, and CSR Funds from HDFC. These numbers testify to the ecosystem's growing depth and credibility. Initiatives like SAMRIDHI, SPRINT, WATER Innovation Challenge, the WISE Fund (supporting women-led climate tech ventures), and ATMAN (focusing on agri-deeptech acceleration) demonstrate how startup innovation is being seamlessly integrated into national policy frameworks. Moreover, the establishment of 12 Cyber Physical Systems (CPS) labs across 9+ states, under the NM-ICPS mission, and programmes like SPRINT (12 editions) are giving student innovators, agri-tech entrepreneurs, and rural startups access to prototyping, experimentation, and validation infrastructure—through grants, mentorship, access to networks, and labs—thus bridging the last-mile gap in climate technology access. Adding another layer of institutional commitment, the Ministry of Education (MoE) launched a ₹990 crore+ Centres of Excellence (CoE) programme, with a dedicated CoE on AI in agriculture awarded to IIT Ropar under the banner of with a specific budget of ₹330 Cr. This CoE is tasked with revolutionising agriculture using AI-powered tools across biodiversity, nutrient intelligence, crop health, and livestock monitoring. India's response to climate threats in agriculture must now shift from fragmented schemes to a national climate-smart agriculture mission. This includes: · Mainstreaming climate resilience in all agri-schemes—from PM-KISAN to PMFBY. · Boosting public-private partnerships to scale up innovations in drought-resistant crops and precision farming. · Expanding CRVs as models of best practice in every vulnerable district. · Strengthening agri-infrastructure for water storage, solar irrigation, and resilient supply chains. · Investing in data and digitisation to enable real-time agro-advisory services based on hyperlocal weather forecasting. · Upskilling extension workers to become climate educators. · Deploying more funds, establishing CPS Labs, and expanding SPRINT programmes nationwide across other institutions and hubs. Above all, climate literacy among farmers must become a national priority. Awareness is the first line of defence—and our farmers deserve timely, credible, and actionable information. India cannot afford to let its agricultural sector remain the frontline victim of a crisis it didn't cause. As we march towards the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047, climate-resilient agriculture must be at the heart of this development narrative. It is time to turn every village into a climate-resilient unit, every farmer into an empowered change-maker, and every policy into a shield against climate shocks. With the 3I3P model—innovation, investment, implementation, and programme-policy process—India can rise as a global model of sustainable and climate-smart agriculture. This article is authored by Pilot Neeraj Sehrawat, chief strategy officer, Kailash Kher Foundation and Mukesh Kestwal, chief innovation officer, IIT Ropar.
The Hindu
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Expanding tree cover is crucial
As climate change accelerates, tree plantation and carbon sequestration are essential for environmental sustainability. For India, a rapidly growing economy reliant on carbon-intensive industries, expanding tree cover is crucial for mitigating climate change while supporting industrial growth and rural livelihoods. India's forest and tree cover is 25.17%, significantly below the 33% target set by the National Forest Policy of 1988. This shortfall has serious implications, as deforestation, rapid urbanisation, and industrial emissions continue to degrade ecosystems. Accelerating afforestation Tree plantations act as natural carbon sinks, absorbing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO₂). However, in India, this sequestration potential needs to be enhanced through large-scale afforestation programmes. Beyond reducing greenhouse gas emissions, increased tree cover improves soil health, recharges groundwater, retains water, reduces soil erosion, and enhances resilience against extreme weather events. Recognising this, India has introduced several policies and initiatives to accelerate afforestation efforts. The National Agroforestry Policy (2014) and the Trees Outside Forests in India Program encourage private landowners, farmers, and industries to participate in large-scale tree planting. They aim to reduce dependence on natural forests for timber and fuelwood, restore degraded ecosystems, and provide additional income sources for rural communities. The Green India Mission, part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, has been instrumental in reviving degraded forests and promoting sustainable forest management. According to government data, GIM has helped increase forest cover by 0.56% between 2017 and 2021. Corporate social responsibility initiatives have also contributed to large-scale tree plantation drives. Companies in sectors such as automobile manufacturing, cement, and energy have undertaken afforestation projects to offset emissions. Many corporations are also integrating afforestation efforts into their carbon credit strategies, allowing them to claim emission reductions while restoring ecosystems. Indian industries face growing pressure to reduce their carbon footprint due to stringent international regulations. The European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, set to be enforced in 2026, will impose tariffs on carbon-intensive imports such as steel, cement, and aluminium. As trade between India and the EU reached €124 billion in 2023, these tariffs could greatly impact Indian exporters. To remain competitive in global markets, industries are increasingly investing in carbon-offset projects, including large-scale tree plantations. Such investments help companies align with global sustainability standards, earn carbon credits under frameworks such as the Verified Carbon Standard and Clean Development Mechanism, and offset emissions in a cost-effective manner instead of purchasing expensive international carbon credits. Sustainability is no longer about regulatory compliance — it has become a strategic advantage. Companies are integrating sustainability into their operations by developing green supply chains, sourcing raw materials from sustainable forestry projects, and implementing energy-efficient manufacturing processes. With global capital markets increasingly favouring environmental, social, and governance principles, Indian industries must adapt to maintain their market position. Tree plantations also offer economic and social benefits. Large-scale afforestation initiatives create millions of jobs, especially in nursery management, forest conservation, and agroforestry. These are particularly vital for rural communities. Agroforestry, which integrates trees into agricultural systems, is a particularly promising approach. It enhances soil fertility by improving nutrient cycling, provides additional income from timber, fruits, and medicinal plants, and increases resilience to droughts and erratic weather conditions. A study by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research found that agroforestry can increase farm incomes by 20-30%. To support community-led afforestation, government and non-governmental organisations have stepped in to provide financial incentives, training and capacity-building programmes to educate farmers and rural workers, and market linkages to help communities sell forest-based products. These foster a sense of responsibility and ownership. Policy recommendations Despite its benefits, large-scale tree plantation faces several challenges. One is the rising cost of carbon credits. In 2023, the average price of carbon credits under the EU Emissions Trading System was €83 per tonne of CO₂ . For Indian businesses, investing in afforestation offers a more cost-effective solution than purchasing expensive carbon credits from international markets. Another challenge is the absence of a robust carbon trading policy in India. To fully capitalise on global carbon markets, India must establish a transparent national carbon credit registry, a well-defined regulatory framework under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, and financial incentives to encourage private-sector investments in afforestation. As India strives to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070, tree plantations and carbon sequestration will be key pillars of its sustainability strategy. The risks of inaction are too high. B.B.L. Madhukar, Chairman, FORE School of Management, and Director General, BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry
