EPCO, WRI India host workshop to launch Long-Term, Low-Carbon Development Strategy of Madhya Pradesh
18 October 2024, Bhopal: The Environmental Planning and Coordination Organization (EPCO), under the Environment Department of the Government of Madhya Pradesh, in technical partnership with WRI India, organized a multi-stakeholder dialogue workshop as the launch event to develop the ‘Long-Term, Low-Carbon Development Strategy of Madhya Pradesh’. The strategy, to be developed by 2026, aims to contribute to India’s 2070 net-zero targets.
The workshop facilitated discussions and sought inputs on the implications of the long-term climate strategy for the state, aligning it with India's net zero ambitions.
In his keynote address, Mr. Manu Shrivastava, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy and New & Renewable Energy Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh said, “Long-term, low-carbon development strategies are not merely noble interventions. They are proving to be more profitable in the long run than sticking to the business-as-usual-scenario, making them a key focus area for the state.”
He also gave the example of the solar power plant in Rewa to illustrate how a forward-looking long-term low-carbon strategy is leading to greener growth, greater profits and savings for the state. For example, in case of the Delhi metro – 60% of the energy requirements (daytime) are met by the solar plant, which also lead to annual savings of approximately Rs 100 crores.
He further emphasized that collaboration and knowledge sharing between the government, civil society organizations and think tanks will be key to ensuring a more effective and efficient green grid.
Dr Saloni Sidana, Executive Director, EPCO said that Madhya Pradesh ranks as the sixth-highest GHG-emitting state in India, with per capita emissions exceeding the national average. The energy sector remains the largest contributor to these emissions. These challenges demand a comprehensive, long-term strategy that not only aligns with national targets but also addresses the state's specific needs and harnesses its unique strengths.
She said, “Our State Action Plan on Climate Change provides a robust framework for climate action and aligns with the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 timelines. We recognize that the journey doesn’t end at 2030. We must think beyond, and that’s why this dialogue on long-term strategy is so essential.”
Ms Preety Bhandari, Former Senior Fellow, WRI said “State-level action is critical for India to achieve its ambitious climate goals. For this, the state climate action plans need to be a blueprint for investments, articulating transition strategies for low-carbon and climate-resilient development which clearly spell out financing needs- public and private, technology transitions and capacity and knowledge and partnership requirements. With such responsibility being delegated at the sub-national level, the supporting role of the Centre is equally important”.
The workshop also included deliberations on heat action planning for four major cities - Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Gwalior. The deliberations promoted interdepartmental collaboration, fostering a coordinated response to increasing urban heat stress.
Dr Alexander Fisher, Director, Indo-German Coordination for Climate Change, GIZ said, “The workshop brought together policymakers, practitioners and subject experts to deliberate on means to ensure that the state’s economic development is environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. I am confident that the partnership between the government and WRI India will create a pathway towards developing a robust low-carbon development roadmap for the state.”
Ulka Kelkar, Executive Program Director, Climate, Economics and Finance, WRI India said, “Madhya Pradesh is not just at the heart of India, but also at the heart of climate action in India. The state has been way ahead of its time in deliberating ideas and executing actions that are now being recognized as climate positive. Madhya Pradesh is also one of the few states in the country that has also been looking at long-term climate action.” She further highlighted WRI India’s long-standing relationship with Madhya Pradesh on climate finance, energy sector scenarios and the development of climate-smart action plans for the state’s seven smart cities.
