Carbon Neutral development in Panchayats

Introduction

As there is mounting evidences for human-induced climate change, measures has to be taken to fight this global crisis. Carbon neutral or low- carbon development is a concept emerged in these circumstances which hasits roots in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It refers to development with low GHG emissions to address climate change and integrate climate action in development strategies. It focuses on mitigating the emissions while adapting to climate risks and build resilience among people to increase their capacity to face the adverse impacts of climate change. Adopting policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change and create climate-resilience is critical for the sustainable development of an economy. This change from a carbon- intensive economy to low- carbon development is an arduous task which can only be achieved with the participation of governments, civil society, privatesector and individual citizens.  

An operational framework for the Panchayats to become carbon neutral is provided here. 

Prepration of data base

The first step to achieve carbon neutrality is to estimate the GHG emissions and sequestration of the Panchayats. For this, all sources that emit GHG and all sinks that absorb GHG have to be identified. ‘Mapping’ is the initial stage for identifying and understanding all processes and activities that result in the emission and 3  sequestration of GHG and to collect data for baseline emission profile generation of the Panchayats.  To make the mapping and data collection easier, all activities can be grouped in the following categories Energy, Industrial Production, Agriculture and Forestry, Waste and Sequestration. The GHG sources in each sector and data for GHG estimation are to be collected voluntarily. Which is to be consolidated at the panchayat level, this can be based on the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Green house Gas Inventories and its refinement in 2019.  

Strategy Setting  

After the generation of GHG emission profile of the Panchayat, it would be clear whether it is carbon-positive or negative or neutral. If the Panchayat is carbon- positive, strategy should be taken to reduce the emissions and increase sequestration to achieve carbon neutrality. In the case of carbon-negative and carbon-neutral Panchayat’s, measures should be taken to maintain that state and to further prevent any rise in GHG emissions and to become a sustainable economy. The important measures to be adopted to achieve or to remain carbon neutral are explained in the following part.  

Sequestration measures for carbon neutrality

Carbon sequestration measures are essential for achieving carbon neutrality. They complement the mitigation and adaptation measures by preserving and increasing existing and also the new carbon sinks to transform to a low-carbon economy. Adopting sequestration measures helps increase the carbon sequestration ratewhich thereby reduces the overall GHG emission of a region.

• Adoption of renewable energy – Panchayat would initiate activities for self sufficiency in terms of energy instead of being consumer. There is much potential for renewable energy such as solar and wind energy. It is with this view that the state have been directed to launch a campaign for gram urja swaraj by the ministry of Panchayati Raj.
• Aforestation – planting trees increases carbon sequestration. Some of the afforestation methods are avenue planting (planting trees along roads or streets), rooftop trees, creation of Forest Island, Promoting homestead trees restoring degraded land and forest areas and tree banking.
• Carbon farming – farming practices to increase carbon sequestration. Eg. Managed bamboo forests – Bamboo has the highest rate of carbon sequestration.
• Planting bamboo forest increases carbon sequestration while also improving the livelihood of people by becoming a source of income. Matured bamboo can be cut and sold for various purposes and more bamboocan be planted again at its place.
• Multi strata agro forestry – these are multi-layered agricultural systemswith several types of crops and trees cultivated together to improve degraded soil system, prevent erosion and flooding, recharge ground water table and increase biodiversity.
• Food forest – these are agricultural systems that resemble forest but filledwith food trees. Food forest increases carbon sequestration while also providing food materials for the region  

Many of the measures create job opportunities for people, especially for women, to manage food forests, agroforests etc. Carbon sequestration measures have multiple benefits including carbon removal, acts as a source of income, ensuresfood security and improves ecosystem and biodiversity 

Climate resilient plan

Considering all the above mentioned aspects panchayats are to prepare a climate resilient plan which can be integrated with Gram panchayati development plan, this can be a long term & and short term projects in GPDP.  Low carbon development should be given priority. Project relating to carbon should be implemented only after carrying out an emission analysis to estimate the impact and GHG emission of the activity. Forexample, a plan to renovate a bus shelter should be carried out after analyzing its GHG emission to reduce its emission before and after construction. By looking at projects through a ‘low-carbon lens’, the Panchayat can integrate low carbon development in all its projects.

A ‘Carbon Neutral Facilitation Centre’ (CNFC) can be created in all the Panchayat to execute carbon neutral works. These bodies can include local government representatives, professionals to provide technical assistance, SHG members, volunteers, students and civic society. Any work regarding carbon neutral development such as campaigns, surveys, classes, tree planting, etc. can be carried out through CNFCs. Capacity building is yet another area which need much attention. Focused training on carbon neutrality is essential for elected representatives, officials and civil member society or organization.  

Resource generation

It is also important to identify the resources which is mainly possible though convergence of schemes and programs Generating own source of income also can supplement the activity. Part of the fund can be taken from its own fund and other part can be obtained from interested individuals or organizations who want to offset their emission by investing in low-carbon development projects. A system has to be developed within the Panchayts to carry out the monitoring and evaluation process.    

Setting targets through localizing sustainable development goal (SDG)  

Among the 17 SDGs, Ministry of Panchayati raj has identified 9 goals where it could intervene at the grassroots level to achieve the targets. Those 9 goals are –

• Goal 1 (No Poverty)
• Goal 2 (Zero Hunger)
• Goal 3 ( Good Health and Wellbeing)
• Goal 4 (Quality Education)
• Goal 5 (Gender Equality)
• Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
• Goal 7 (Clean and Affordable Energy)
• Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)
• Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities)
• Goal 13 (Climate Action)
• Goal 14 (Life Below Water)
• Goal 15 (Life on Land) and
• Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institution).

All these goals directly or indirectly support the venture against climate change.

The goals at GP level taken through Themes, targets and indicators have aspiration in nature, relevant and placing the global goals that are universally applicable, in line with national policies and priorities as well as taking into account local realities in a concise and easy to communicate manner. The iterative process linking the global indicators and national indicators till the grassroots level until Gram Panchayats is ensured in the localization of SDGs. Most SDGs are related to the subjects devolved to the Panchayats. The nine themes identified for the Panchayats are:Poverty Free Village, Healthy Village, Child Friendly Village, Water Sufficient Village, Clean and Green Village, Self-sufficient Infrastructure in Village, Socially Secured Village, Village with Good Governance and Women Friendly Village.

The fifth theme “clean & Green village" refers to a world in which natural resources, including oceans, land, andforests, are sustainably managed and conserved to improve livelihoods and ensure food security, and most importantly protect the environment for future generations. Clean" refers to access to safe & adequate drinking water and sanitation services, low-pollution, low-emission world in which cleaner air, water,and oceans enable people to lead healthy, productive lives.  

The SDGs draw attention to the importance of environment for existence of man and all living species. Panchayats, in fact, have a countering role to play, as they counter the damage to environment by the growth of cities and industries. However, the increasing Green House Gases from livestock and air pollution and soil pollution due to certain agricultural practices are a matter of grave concern. Hence, Panchayats have an extremely important role and place, starting with their own village to address the issues and contribute to the whole of environment, in more ways than one. Clean and green environment in Panchayats is the lifeblood towards achieving sustainable development. In terms of the environmental dimension of development, the SDGs cover natural resourcemanagement, climate change, water-related issues, marine issues, biodiversity and ecosystems, circular economy, environmentally sound management of chemicals and waste, and much more. Environment means the surrounding habitat of man. In its widest sense, it refers to the entire earth with its green forests, the oceans, the layers of 6  air and oxygen. This leads to Goals 12, 13, 14 and 15 as being categorized as ‘Environmental SDGs. As per the focus attention on SDGs the Gram Panchayati Development Plan (GPDP) is to prepared through an integrated approach.

Source : Ministry of Panchayat Raj