Having taken lead in framing policy on carbon credits, the Himachal Pradesh government yesterday took another step to make the state carbon neutral by constituting a state-level governing council along with a steering committee to monitor various targets under the eight-point national mission on climate change.

The state-level governing council on climate change, headed by the Chief Minister, will monitor the targets under individual missions that are to be implemented by different departments. They would strive to attain the listed objectives within the stipulated time frame and ensure vertical integration with the national missions.

The focus would be on promoting understanding of climate change, adaptation and mitigation, energy efficiency and natural resource conservation. Principal secretary, environment, Harinder Hira, said the council would meet twice a year and the committee, headed by the chief secretary, at least on quarterly basis for attending and steering micro-level environmental agenda.