Compendium of state policies from the perspective of climate change mitigation

India’s economy has been growing rapidly in the past few years, with the average GDP being in the region of 7 per cent and touching the 9 per cent mark in 2011. The rapid rate of economic growth is also characterized by the rapid growth of urban centres with vast changes and increases in their consumption patterns. In the this backdrop, Government of India has decided to reduce its emissions intensity by 20–25 per cent to 2005 levels by 2020 yet maintain its development objectives and GDP goals. That seems challenging but, considering the various initiatives several states have taken in various sectors in addition to national programmes and schemes, India may meet its emission intensity targets and—with sufficient and resources— surpass this target. While these state initiatives are not from a climate lens—but purely to address some sector-specific issues and challenges—these have the co-benefits of reducing carbon emissions over the business as usual (BAU) approach.

The report documents compendium of state policies from perspective of climate change mitigation with findings such as many states endowed with rich natural resources are naturally very environment friendly do not have “climate friendly” policies. Many states that have the weakest climate friendly policies may actually have very low greenhouse gas emissions, due largely to rich forest cover, vegetation, source of energy supply, low levels of industrialization due to topography and other factors, high level of agro-based industry for the similar reason and so on. However, since this rating is about policies and policy frameworks, states that have low greenhouse gas emissions but no policies that would impact emissions reduction have been ranked low.

Given the challenges of climate change, even low-emissions states should opt for policies and policy frameworks that would address climate change in the medium and long term.

States with relatively high per capita GDP have climate mitigation policies primarily to address the stress on infrastructure from high consumption patterns. For instance, high demand for energy in some states has led to peak energy demand, which in turn has led these states to put in place policies such as mandatory solar water heating. Similarly, states that experience high demand for water have put in place policies for water conservation, harvesting, demand side management, and other relevant practices, which obviously also reduce emissions. In sum, states have adopted a lot of interesting policies and policy frameworks and some innovative and effective ways to implement the plans. Many of these policies can be replicated in other states, and they can learn how to create an effective implementation framework from each other. We hope that this compendium, intended to serve policy makers, policy analysts, and others as a reference tool, also helps states create policies that help reduce carbon emissions while meeting developing goals and addressing development challenges.