Telangana falls short in efforts to combat climate change

HYDERABAD: At a below par score of 43/100, Telangana has a lot left to do in terms of efforts to mitigate unfavourable climatic changes, according to a recent Niti Aayog study. Telangana has been put along side nine other states who have been found wanting in taking proactive measures to combat the challenge from adverse climate events.
The scores are assigned based on a variety of criteria, including minimising CO2 emissions, effective disaster management systems, preparing the state to use renewable energy sources and regulating air pollution.The Niti Aayog report on Sustainable Development Goals (Climate Action) was released this year on the values for 2020.
The nine other states with a score below 50 are Rajasthan, Goa, Tripura, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar bringing up the rear with a lowly score of 16.
Misconception among govts that only coastal states affected
A low score is worrisome, say experts, in light of the challenges highlighted by the recent report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Moreover, a past UN report also stated unequivocally that disaster risk in India results in an average annual economic loss of $9.8 billion.
Climate experts say that there is also a widespread misconception among governments that only those states along coasts or prone to cyclones need to worry.
“Climate change is not limited by coastline. It will have an influence on dry areas too. In fact, there should be districtlevel statistics on climate change and related issues. The central government should follow it up with states on the action taken instead of giving only scores,” said Dr Harsh Sarma, director of Centre for Public Policy at the Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI) According to Dr Anjal Prakash, research director at Bharati Institute of Public Policy, Indian School of Business (ISB), there was also a great need for specific policies and wings in state administration.