Session Report
Apekshya Basnet
Following the roaring success of its inaugural cohort, the second edition of the transformative course on public policy, Fundamentals of Public Policy 2.0, was held from March 1st to March 30th 2024. The second edition delved deep into the intricate facets, justifications, and complexities of public policy, with the aim of shedding light on its multifaceted nature. This latest cohort continued its exploration of public policy, focusing on the Indian context.
Led by experts from various disciplines, the course comprised ten enlightening sessions, offering a valuable opportunity to gain insights into the intricate challenges of contemporary governance. These sessions covered essential topics such as economics, agriculture, foreign policy, urban management, climate change, and disaster management, as well as the roles of media and civil society. In addition, emerging themes like feminism in policy-making were also addressed.
On Day 7 of the “Fundamentals Of Public Policy – Cohort 2.0”, Prof. Anil Gupta took the session forward by providing an overview of the current discourse on environment and sustainability – emphasizing the prevalent focus on climate change. He highlighted the significance of his team’s work, which revolves around understanding climate change-related loss and damage and exploring resilience and adaptation strategies.
Overview of Climate Change Discourse
Prof. Gupta further underscored the diminishing doubts regarding the reality of climate change but pointed out the complexity surrounding issues of loss and damage. He detailed the multifaceted nature of these challenges, which encompass not only the frequency and intensity of hazards but also systemic vulnerabilities. The discussions at COP 26, COP 27, and COP 28 emphasized the urgent need to address loss and damage comprehensively.
Additionally, Prof. Gupta addressed the importance of green development initiatives, including strategies such as resource efficiency and circular economy approaches. He emphasized the broader scope of resource efficiency beyond just recycling and highlighted the global significance of these discussions.
Furthermore, the session delved into the critical topic of improving financial mechanisms, particularly in countries facing economic transition or underdevelopment. Prof. Gupta stressed the importance of aligning financial strategies with sustainable development goals and frameworks such as the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Paris Agreement. However, he acknowledged the challenges in implementing these policies due to capacity gaps and the lack of synchronization in utilizing research findings.
Moreover, Prof. Gupta cautioned against attributing all disasters solely to climate change, emphasizing the role of non-climatic factors such as landscape changes, land use, infrastructure design, and maintenance practices. He illustrated how the combination of climatic and non-climatic factors contributes to vulnerabilities and shapes disaster risks.
Insights on Climate-related Disasters and Sustainable Development
In addition, Prof. Gupta highlighted the increasing trend of climate-related disasters globally, particularly in South Asia and India, where around 70-75% of disasters are linked to water and climate. He emphasized the necessity to understand the evolving disaster profiles influenced by climatic, anthropogenic, and socio-cultural factors – particularly within the diverse geography of India.
During the session, Prof. Gupta highlighted the collaborative efforts between Indian and German partners in conducting studies related to morbidity, mortality, and occurrences across all states and union territories of India over the past 25 years. He emphasized the importance of understanding these trends at both national and district levels.
Prof. Gupta discussed the advancements in India’s early warning systems, particularly for cyclones, and the country’s improved preparedness in responding to impending disasters. Despite the challenges, such as inaccurate landfall predictions, India has made significant strides in coordination, resource mobilization, and disaster response. In this context, a joint study with civil society partners was instituted to identify the root causes of disaster losses and damages, aiming to inform better disaster risk reduction strategies.
Prof. Gupta underscored the critical role of sustainable energy systems in mitigating climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. He highlighted India’s regulatory and technocratic measures, including dedicated missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, to promote energy efficiency and sustainable development.
The discussion then shifted to the evolving understanding of climate change, emphasizing the need to address not only mitigation but also adaptation and loss and damage. Prof. Gupta highlighted the emergence of loss and damage as a major pillar alongside mitigation and adaptation efforts. He emphasized the need to consider health-related challenges and water management in climate change discourse, citing strategic documents prepared for sudden contamination of water bodies and national health adaptation plans.
Prof. Gupta further outlined the multifaceted impacts of climate change, including migrations, health risks, and changes in disease patterns, underscoring the need for holistic approaches to address these challenges. He stressed the importance of integrating nature-based solutions into disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation efforts, advocating for shared learning processes and leveraging local knowledge.
Addressing Challenges and Opportunities in Climate Policy
Prof. Gupta deliberated on the challenges in translating policy interventions into actionable plans at the local level and emphasized the need for synergy between various planning processes, including disaster management, environmental action plans, and health adaptation plans. He proposed the establishment of a network for adaptation, resilience, and sustainability to facilitate knowledge exchange and enhance access to timely information and resources in the field.
Concluding the session, Prof. Gupta highlighted India’s initiatives, including the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure, in addressing climate change and disaster risk. He underscored the importance of collaborative efforts, research, and policy innovation to achieve sustainable development goals and build resilience to climate change.
Read more at IMPRI:
Social Security and Public Policy
Philanthropy and Public Policy
Insights into Urban Policy: Exploring Challenges and Solutions
Acknowledgement: Apekshya Basnet is a research intern at IMPRI.
