Kerala, with its diverse geography, has faced the full wrath of climate change and the challenges that come with it. The Kerala State Climate Change Adaptation Mission (KSCCAM) is a proactive and strategic program launched by the Government of Kerala recently to effectively navigate the challenges posed by climate change, while protecting the state's ecology, economy, and communities. The Kerala Environment Department, as part of the climate change management activities, has created the body to focus on sourcing climate adaptation aids. The mission has created nine technical posts to create a better structure to assess the greenhouse gas emissions of the state and to create new methodologies for getting green funds to address these emissions. Headed by a chief resilience officer, the mission will consist of a climate change assessment specialist, a carbon auditing officer, a carbon capture and utilisation specialist, a carbon monitoring and compliance officer, a science content writer, an administrative manager, a multi-tasking manager, and an accountant. ‘Will Help Implement State Plan on Climate Change’ According to Suneel Pamidisu, the Director of the Department of Environment and Climate Change under the Kerala government, the mandate of the mission is to source climate adaptation aid through the carbon credit economy and green funds, while promoting ecosystem services that are resource-efficient. “It will also help in implementing the State Action Plan on Climate Change, which was recently revised,” he added. Other goals include encouraging development activities and assisting in the creation of green employment initiatives, as well as promoting sustainable livelihoods while bearing in mind the problems faced due to climate change and associated calamities. Apart from the state plans, India has adopted several plans like the National Action Plan on Climate Change, National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture, National Water Mission, National Mission for Green India, National Mission for Enhanced Energy Efficiency, etc, for fast-tracking initiatives and creating an impact.. Challenges Faced Kerala’s neighboring state Tamil Nadu has also adopted the State Action Plan on Climate Change, which includes region-specific adaptation strategies. Around seven other states have also created such missions to combat the challenges associated with climate change in India. The impact of climate change on ecosystems, economies, and society makes it one of the most urgent global concerns of our time. Pamidisu himself spoke about the impact a plan such as this will have on bringing in more green funds and how it will cater to the regional challenges. While several environmentalists are positive about this latest initiative, the same cannot be fully analysed before the Department of Environment releases more plans of action that provide a concrete structure to the mission. However, they do agree that after recognising the necessity of addressing such issues, governments throughout the world need to develop such adaptation methods to shifting climate trends.
28 Aug 2023
P.S. Niranjana
