The government should strengthen regulations for achieving national and international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Net Zero by 2070 target.
The general elections results are out, and a five-year term is mandated for the government in this crucial decade which needs to see significant progress on environmental quality, climate action and sustainable development. According to Dr Vibha Dhawan, Director General, TERI, “By placing a strong emphasis on various factors of the environment, the new government can set the wheels of the Indian economy in motion towards a sustainable and resilient future”. “The government should strengthen regulations and integrate environmental considerations into various sectoral and non-sectoral policies which will also help in achieving our national and international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Net Zero by 2070 target”, she emphasised.
On the occasion of the World Environment Day 2024, The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), which has been at the forefront of advocating and supporting various environmental initiatives has compiled inputs for a 100-day green agenda for the new government.
Initiate Green Budgeting: India has the process of issue-based budgeting in the child budgeting and gender budgeting in the union budget. India can introduce green budgeting in union budgeting process for integrating environmental considerations into public spending and revenue-raising measures. Inspiration can be drawn from Bihar, Puducherry, and Assam.
Include Climate Vulnerability in Devolution Formula: The 16th Finance Commission can include climate vulnerability (as part of environment criteria) in the devolution formula to states to create climate fund and provide additional resources to state governments to address climate change.
Strengthen Green Public Procurement (GPP): The General Financial Rules of the Ministry of Finance mandates that select electrical appliances procured should carry the notified threshold or higher Star Rating of Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). Since 2013, there have been no enhancements in this list of appliances. Procurement of more BEE star rated appliances along with products under the ECO Mark Scheme should be promoted through the Government e-Marketplace (GeM). A comprehensive GPP strategy at the national level will also boost the Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE). India can advocate for global indicator frameworks on SDGs to incorporate consumer-level and eco-labels related indicators.
Develop Green Strategy for Priority Sector Lending (PSL): Green and gender tagging of loans from PSL can be undertaken to strengthen green strategies. For example, PSL can include monitoring mechanisms for credits to farmers for sustainable agriculture including women beneficiaries. Further awareness activities on PSL can be strengthened.
Notify Policy on Resource Efficiency: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) of India can notify a policy for resource efficiency. Efficiency in use of material resources such as timber, plastic, steel, metals, textiles, construction materials (sand, earth, bricks, cement, etc) and their recycling, reuse needs to be promoted through mandates as well as incentives to sustain a circular economy. A draft policy has been in the making for almost five years.
