Punjab Government, under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Sh. Bhagwant Mann has taken a remarkable step to accelerate actions against the critical issue of Climate Change. Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 27th July, 2022 for becoming the member of prestigious Global Network called Under2 Coalition, which is working to address the issue of Climate Change at Global level. With this, Punjab has become a member of largest network of 221 States /Provincial Governments of 43 Countries of world, committed to reduce CO2 & Green House Gases (GHG) emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. The Paris Agreement adopted during UNFCC-COP 21 held in Paris in 2015 is a legally binding international treaty, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably to 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels, to avoid risk & impacts of climate change. Punjab is the 2nd North Indian State after Jammu and Kashmir and 6th Indian State after Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir, Telangana, West Bengal and Maharashtra, to join this Network.
The signing of this MOU becomes all the more relevant when impacts of climate change are unprecedented in scale like shifting weather patterns that threaten food production, to rising sea levels that increase the risk of catastrophic flooding & associated health related issues. India is also among the high-risk countries as it ranked 7th in the Global Climate Risk Index 2021. Agrarian States of India including Punjab are likely to face serious detrimental effects on rural economy as each 1°C increase in temperature is estimated to reduce average yields of various crops ranging from 3-7 percent. The implications are likely to multiply as the projections indicate likely increase of temperature by more than 4°C by the end of century under the business as usual scenarios.
Hon’ble Chief Minister applauded the initiative of Deptt. of Science, Technology and Environment and hoped that collaboration would help in harnessing the strategic knowledge & technical support for undertaking comprehensive activities for combating climate change, which has emerged as one of the major challenge of our times and its wide-spread effects on our planet, human health & livelihoods, are already evident. He urged all the citizens of Punjab to adopt eco & nature friendly way of living.
Speaking on the development, Sh. Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, Hon’ble Cabinet Minister, Department of Science, Technology & Environment, Govt. of Punjab reiterated the State’s commitment to build a robust climate-resilient ecosystem and convert the climate vulnerabilities into opportunities. He emphasised that Government of Punjab is keen to collaborate with International & National Organization agencies to address State specific climate change concerns. He further said that becoming the member of Global Network would pave the way for state to access the Global best practices, transfer of technical know-how and innovative financial models for undertaking cross sectoral activities to enhance climate resilience of the state.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Manish Kumar, IFS, Director, Environment & Climate Change on behalf of State Government and Ms. Divya Sharma, India Executive Director, Climate Group on behalf of Under2 Coalition. Climate Group, which acts as the secretariat for the Under2 Coalition, is an International Non-Profit Organization with offices in London (Headquarter), New York and New Delhi. The Group works with Business and Governments around the world to address climate change & accelerating climate actions.
Sh. Rahul Tewari, IAS, Secretary, Science, Technology & Environment, Govt. of Punjab informed that beside showcasing State`s salient achievement at various international forums, collaboration would certainly help the State in strengthening its efforts on Climate resilience with the technical support of Climate Group & Under2 Coalition members through exchange of knowledge & ideas. He also pointed that MOU is in consonance with National commitments for reduction of Green House Gases (GHGs) as per Paris Agreement on Climate Change, to which India is a signatory.
Mr. Tim Ash Vie, Director Under2 Coalition, Climate Group, said that the broad intent of the MOU is towards actually getting involved in Climate Change adaptation and mitigation strategies in accordance with global guiding principle of reduction of GHG emission by 2050. He added that MoU aims to foster meaningful & outcome-oriented collaborations for transfer of clean & green technologies in the key sectors.
Mr. Gurharminder Singh, Joint Director, Department of Environment & Climate Change, Punjab and Mr. Rana Pujari, Manager, South Asia Government Relations, Climate Group, were also present on the occasion.