3.3. National Missions on Climate Change in India

For instance in India when we talk about climate change adaptation, there are national action plan on climate change which is from the Prime Ministers Council on climate change. They are talking about Government of India have established the different national missions like for instance these eight national missions which talks about the solar mission, enhanced energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, water mission, national mission on sustaining Himalayan ecosystems, national mission on green India, sustainable agriculture and strategic knowledge for climate change.

In India, the government recognizes the importance of addressing climate change through a structured approach. This is embodied in the National Action Plan on Climate Change, initiated by the Prime Minister’s Council on Climate Change. One of the key components of this plan is the establishment of various national missions—specifically, there are eight notable missions focused on diverse approaches like solar energy, energy efficiency, sustainable habitats, water conservation, preserving Himalayan ecosystems, enhancing green cover, promoting sustainable agriculture, and improving knowledge related to climate change. Each mission has specific goals aimed at mitigating climate change impacts.

Consider the national missions as a toolkit for fighting climate change. Just like a toolbox has different tools for different tasks—screwdrivers for screws, hammers for nails—these missions provide targeted solutions for various aspects of climate adaptation and mitigation, from promoting renewable energy to ensuring sustainable agricultural practices.

These are different missions which were established by the Government of India and in order to address the sustainable development goals and as well as the climate change on the green aspects of it.

The primary purpose of the national missions is to align with sustainable development goals while addressing the challenges posed by climate change. The missions work towards creating a balanced development approach that is environmentally friendly. By focusing on different sectors, these missions contribute to a holistic strategy that acknowledges the interconnectedness of environmental health and economic growth.

Imagine the national missions like different parts of a car engine. Each part is crucial for the smooth operation of the engine as a whole. If one part fails, the performance is affected. Similarly, for India to effectively combat climate change while pursuing development, all these missions need to function together harmoniously.

And in fact, the Hyogo framework for action which talks about for the ongoing climate change negotiations have also led to the growing consensus among the policymakers, politicians and practice that there is a great need to integrate DRR and CCA. Not only by conceptually but in terms of practice both regional level, sub-national level, national, and international level.

The Hyogo Framework for Action emphasizes the necessity of integrating Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) with Climate Change Adaptation (CCA). This integration is critical for developing effective strategies to mitigate disasters exacerbated by climate change. Policymakers across various levels—from local to international—recognize the importance of working together at all levels to create efficient practices that address both disaster risks and the impacts of climate change.

Think of DRR and CCA as two sides of the same coin. Just as you cannot flip a coin without both sides being present, you cannot effectively deal with climate-related disasters without considering both risk reduction and adaptation strategies. They must complement each other to provide a comprehensive defense against climate change impacts.

And before getting into any further discussion, I think we need to understand what are the major differences and challenges for integrating DRR and CCA. So one is you have John Berkman, and many other authors have listed out these are the fundamental differences and similarities you know how they have these challenges bringing them together. One is the scales, because they two talk about different scales.

Integrating DRR and CCA faces several challenges, particularly due to fundamental differences in their approaches. DRR typically focuses on immediate risks and short-term responses to disasters, whereas CCA involves longer time frames and broader geographic considerations. Understanding these differences is crucial for creating effective strategies that can address both immediate and future challenges posed by climate change.

Consider planning a party. If you only focus on the day of the party (DRR) without preparing in advance to handle weather uncertainties (CCA), you might face issues like rain without a backup plan. These two planning aspects must work together: preparing for the event and considering future weather predictions to ensure overall success.

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