State Governments are warming up to the reality of climate change and have started working on the strategies.

Delhi is the first and the only State to have prepared a climate change agenda so far.

But several other States including Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Karnataka, West Bengal and Bihar have started working on assessing the risks posed by climate change, and creating specific action plan for adaptation.

“Delhi was quick to take-off because of its size. We expect several other States to announce their climate change adaptation plans by the year-end,” said the Environment Minister, Mr Jairam Ramesh.

Such an initiative by States assumes significance as changes to the rainfall pattern would pose a serious threat to agriculture, economy and food security. Besides, the coastal States face the risk of sea level rise that could flood land and cause damage to infrastructure besides displacing people.

“The interest from States to assess the risks posed by climate change is definitely encouraging. It would help them identify and formulate the right kind of policy mechanisms to adapt to it,” said Mr Arbinda Mishra, Director, Climate Change at TERI.

TERI has worked with Rajasthan, West Bengal, Bihar and Gujarat among others on various climate change initiatives. Last week Maharashtra signed an MoU with TERI to assess the climate change vulnerability and adaptation strategies for the State.

The two-year joint TERI-UK Met Office research project would assess the regional impacts of climate change using advanced modelling techniques. Besides, the Maharashtra project will also look at capacity building on vulnerability assessment and adaptive policymaking.

“The immediate focus is on the adaptation side for States. Priority is to understand the specific risks faced by these States,” Mr Mishra said.

As part of the climate change mitigation strategy, India has voluntarily agreed to cut its carbon intensity by 20-25 per cent of its 2005 level by 2020.

As part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, eight missions including the one on Solar Energy and Energy Efficiency have been set up that will help the country reduce its carbon emissions.