The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a non-profit policy research institution, recently published a report titled “Mapping India’s Climate Vulnerability – A District-level Assessment”. Alongside the report, the first-ever Climate Vulnerability Index was launched. The Index has scrutinised 640 districts in India, detecting that 463 among these are susceptible to severe floods, droughts and cyclones.
States Affected by Extreme Climate Events
A total of 27 Indian states and Union territories face the risk of adverse climate events which frequently disrupt the local economy and displace more vulnerable communities. Assam, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Bihar hold the highest vulnerability towards extreme climate events such as floods, droughts, and cyclones in India.
The High Impact of Climate Change
Over 80% Indians reside in districts exposed to climate risks. 17 out of every 20 people in the country stand vulnerable to climate risks, with every fifth Indian living in areas categorised as extremely vulnerable. Over 45% of these districts have experienced “unsustainable landscape and infrastructure changes”.
Lack of Adaptability
Over half of the Indian districts show a medium to low adaptive capacity when dealing with extreme weather events. Human activities have compounded the issues, making already vulnerable districts even more prone to natural disasters. Loss of wetlands, decrease in mangroves, landscape disruptions, and degradation of natural ecosystems are some examples of such activities.
Potential Financial Crisis
Developing countries like India are finding it increasingly difficult to handle the rising frequency and scale of extreme climate events due to financial constraints. Infrastructural investments related to housing, transport, and industries could be jeopardised by these events. Additionally, increasing weather-related insurance losses may trigger the next financial crisis.
Need for Decentralised Planning
Given the high vulnerability of most districts in India to extreme weather events, a district-wise climate action plan is essential. The CEEW study indicated that only 63% of Indian districts possess a District Disaster Management Plan (DDMP). Policymakers, industry leaders, and citizens need to use district-level analysis to make better risk-informed decisions.
Mobilising Green Finance
With the increase in loss and damage caused by the climate crisis, India must call for climate finance focusing on adaptation-based climate actions at COP-26 (Climate Conference). Developed countries need to deliver on their promise of USD 100 billion since 2009 and also commit to boosting climate finance over the next decade.
Identifying Climate Risk
Development of a Climate Risk Atlas for India would enable policymakers to better identify and evaluate risks caused by extreme climate events. There is also a need to climate-proof physical and ecosystem infrastructures across the nation.
Institutional Setup for Climate Risk
India needs to establish a new Climate Risk Commission to manage the environmental de-risking mission. Enhanced climate finance could support India-led global agencies such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) to mainstream climate actions further.
Other Indices Related to Climate Change
Several other indices related to climate change exist such as the Climate Change Performance Index, Global Climate Risk Index 2021, Environmental Performance Index, Hunger Hotspots Report, and Children’s Climate Risk Index.