In climate fight, panchayat must partner in planning, Pg13

Key Highlights:

• 97 Indian cities were among the world's top 100 hottest in May, with temperatures reaching 47-49 °C in regions like Bundelkhand and Bihar.
• India's Union Cabinet approved revised Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement, targeting 60% non-fossil power capacity and 47% reduction in GDP emissions intensity by 2035.
• Despite India's strong climate commitment record, Gram Panchayats, crucial for local climate adaptation, are marginalized in climate planning.
• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act devolved 29 subjects, including water management and agriculture, to Gram Panchayats, which are central to India's adaptation challenge.

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Detailed Insights:

• Climate change is disrupting predictable monsoon patterns, leading to water stress and livelihood disruptions in rural India.
• The 16th Finance Commission has, for the first time, integrated climate factors into its recommendations for financial devolution.
• However, functional devolution to Gram Panchayats has declined, as indicated by indices like the Panchayat Advancement Index 2.0 (PAI).
• Successful local models, such as watershed management in Hiware Bazar and ecological restoration using District Mineral Foundation funds, highlight the potential of empowered Gram Panchayats.
• The National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and State Action Plans must formally include Gram Panchayats as planning partners with defined responsibilities and financial transfers.
• Promoting lateral learning among Panchayats can accelerate the adoption of effective climate solutions across regions.
• Climate-linked financial devolution by the 16th Finance Commission needs to be coupled with procedural authority for Gram Panchayats to plan, not just spend.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs): Climate action plans submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement outlining efforts to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.
• Paris Agreement: A legally binding international treaty on climate change adopted in 2015, aiming to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius.
• Gram Panchayats: Local self-governing bodies at the village level in India, responsible for local administration and development.
• 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act: Enacted in 1992, it gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions and mandated their establishment in states.
• 16th Finance Commission: A constitutional body in India that recommends the distribution of tax revenues between the Union and states, and among states.
• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC): India's overarching policy framework to address climate change, launched in 2008, comprising eight national missions.