
Pune– As global leaders gather at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Agreement and mobilize climate finance, experts back in India are sounding the alarm for Maharashtra to urgently ramp up climate adaptation and disaster risk reduction efforts.
At a press meet in Pune, jointly organized by the Indian Network on Ethics and Climate Change (INECC), the Centre for Sustainable Development at Gokhale Institute of Politics and Economics (CSD, GIPE), Clean Energy Access Network (CLEAN), TERRE Policy Center, and BAIF Development Research Foundation, experts outlined critical priorities for the state. They stressed the need for Maharashtra to focus on local impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events, food and water insecurity, and energy access challenges, especially to protect its most vulnerable communities.
COP29 Key Focus Areas:
1. Global Adaptation Framework: Scaling up adaptation efforts to protect vulnerable communities will be a priority. This includes enhancing disaster risk reduction, building climate-resilient infrastructure, and fortifying agriculture and water systems.
2. Loss and Damage Mechanisms: Leaders aim to finalize mechanisms for compensating countries facing irreversible climate impacts.
3. Just Transition and Climate Justice: A focus on ensuring that the transition to a low-carbon economy remains equitable and inclusive.
4. New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) on Climate Finance: Negotiations will center on establishing a new climate finance target to support adaptation and resilience efforts in the Global South.
Priorities for Maharashtra:
The Pune experts emphasized that Maharashtra’s adaptation and disaster preparedness efforts must center on food and water security, sustainable agriculture, and decentralized energy solutions. They called for the following specific actions:
Climate Adaptation and Disaster Risk Reduction: The state must focus on disaster preparedness to shield vulnerable populations from the adverse impacts of climate change.
Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security: Dr. Bharat Kakade, President of BAIF, urged for sustainable farming practices, including agroforestry, organic farming, and climate-resilient crops, to promote food security in the face of climate variability and water scarcity.
Water Security for Drinking and Irrigation: Maharashtra faces severe water challenges from erratic rainfall and groundwater depletion. Experts recommended conservation practices like rainwater harvesting, wastewater treatment, and decentralized water management to secure water resources.
Nature-Based Solutions for Biodiversity: Dr. Vinita Apte of TERRE Policy Center highlighted the need for nature-based solutions to conserve biodiversity and mitigate climate change.
Decentralized Renewable Energy: Dr. Priyadarshini Karve, CEO of CLEAN, stressed decentralized renewable energy solutions, such as rooftop solar and biomass energy, to improve energy access and reduce carbon emissions. This approach would address both rural energy needs and urban carbon reduction.
Biomass Energy for Climate Mitigation and Resilience: Dr. Gurudas Nulkar from CSD, GIPE underscored the role of biomass as a renewable energy source, supporting climate resilience while creating rural economic opportunities.
Circular Economy and Green Entrepreneurship: Promoting a circular economy by minimizing waste and encouraging green startups is essential for Maharashtra’s sustainable future.
Call to Action for Maharashtra:
As Maharashtra prepares for state assembly elections coinciding with COP29, Mr. Myron Mendes, National Facilitator of INECC, called on political parties to prioritize climate resilience and adaptation in their campaigns. “Mitigation alone is insufficient. Maharashtra must urgently scale up climate adaptation efforts to protect its people from the worsening impacts of climate change, particularly in the sectors of agriculture, water, energy security, and disaster preparedness,” he said.
Increased access to climate finance for locally-led solutions that strengthen community resilience was also a key point raised by experts, with a strong appeal for decisive climate-focused policies to secure Maharashtra’s future in a rapidly changing climate landscape.