Author: Praveenraj, Operations Associate at Beyond Sustainability, defines himself as #minimalist, #calm, and #disciplined. His superpowers—consistency, flexibility, and subtlety—are key to his approach to managing operations effectively.
India, the 5th largest economy in terms of GDP, still ranks 129th in terms of per capita income. One could argue that India’s large population is a factor, but we cannot overlook the elephant in the room—income disparity.
India’s vision is to achieve net zero by 2070, with short-term and long-term goals already set to realize this vision. It’s worth noting that India is one of the few countries that has met its climate action commitments.
The Union Budget sets the stage for turning drafts into policies to address India’s social and economic issues. It is critical to draft the national budget with consideration for the diverse population, aligning with the country’s goals and vision.
In this article, we have considered 14 policies that significantly impact India’s commitment to COP28, and examine their contributions to the sustainable development goals.
This Union Budget primarily focuses on farmers, the poor, youth, and women. The policies also emphasize youth upskilling, employment promotion, MSME development, and enhancing the livelihoods of the middle class.
The budget FOCUSES on: –
The THEME for the budget: –
These statements might sound familiar, but our focus is on how these policies impact global climate efforts and improve livelihoods.
Let’s have a look at what INDIA has committed to AT COP28: –
- 50% of power generation for non-fossils (achieved 43% as of 2023)
- Achieving net zero by 2070
- Reducing emission intensity by 45% below 2005 levels by 2030.
- Promoting Sustainable Lifestyle (LiFE)
From the budget announcement, we have some policies that directly contribute to climate action and sustainable development. These are broken down into 3 sections to analyze their contribution to India’s NDC.
- SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRIAL GROWTH: –
Roadmap for ‘Hard to Abate’ Industries: –
Action: – Encouraging industries to set roadmaps for industries to have emission targets.
Impact: – This will push industries to draft a roadmap for their Net Zero Targets and Sustainable Journey, contributing to SDG 8 and SDG 13
Critical Mineral Mission: –
Action: – Promoting domestic production, recycling of critical minerals, and overseas acquisition.
Impact: – Encourages the production of semiconductors, batteries, and domestic mining, contributing to industrial growth.
Promotion of Manufacturing & Services: –
Action:- Offering internships in top companies for graduates with paid allowances.
Impact: – Promotes industrial-oriented skill development, contributing to SDG 8, and SDG 9.
Support to Traditional Micro and Small Industries: –
Action: – An investment-grade energy audit of traditional micro and small industries in 60 clusters, including brass and ceramic will be facilitated.
Financial support will be provided for shifting them to cleaner forms of energy and implementation of energy efficiency measures.
Impact: – Increasing energy efficiency and providing capital assistance for technology adaptation, contributing to SDG 8 and SDG 9.
- ENHANCING THE LIVELIHOODS: –
Natural Farming: –
Action: – Supporting 1 crore farmers in natural farming, with certification and branding.
Impact: – Preserves flora and fauna, restores soil health, maintains crop diversity, and uses natural/local inputs, contributing to SDG 3, SDG 13, SDG 14, and SDG 15.
Water Supply and Sanitation: –
Action: – Develop water supply, sewage treatment, and solid waste management projects in 100 large cities through bankable projects.
Impact: – Contributes to the action plan of SDG-6.
Digital Public Infrastructure Applications: –
Action: – Developing digital databases in the areas of credit, e-commerce, education, health, law and justice, logistics, MSME, services delivery, and urban governance. This aims to have productivity gains, business opportunities, and innovation by the private sector.
Impact:- Enhances access to information and governance, contributing to SDG-9.
Creative Redevelopment of Cities: –
Action: –Brownfield redevelopment of existing cities with a transformative impact.
Impact: – Rebuilding the infrastructure of densely populated cities to improve livelihoods, contributing to SDG-3 and SDG 11.
Irrigation and Flood Mitigation: –
Action: – Building flood control structures in Nepal, providing financial support for river pollution abatement and irrigation projects, and conducting surveys and investigations of Kosi-related flood mitigation and irrigation projects.
Impact:- Contributes to climate change mitigation, which is often underestimated in cost, contributing to SDG 6 and SDG 13.
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: –
Action: – Encouraging rooftop solar plants and households can obtain free electricity for up to 300 units every month.
Impact:- Empower households to generate their own electricity, boosting the solar energy sector and contributing to SDG-7, SDG 11, and SDG 13.
- GENDER EQUALITY & INCLUSIVE GROWTH: –
Participation of Women in the Workforce: –
Action: – Establishing hostels for working women and creches in collaboration with industries. Women-specific skilling programmes, and promotion of market access for women SHG enterprises.
Impact: – Promotes gender Equality, contributing to SDG-5.
Purvodaya: –
Action: – Comprehensive development of the eastern region covering Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Aim to develop human resources, infrastructure, and generation of economic opportunities to make the region an engine to attain Viksit Bharat.
Impact: – Promotes inclusive growth and supports marginalized communities, contributing to SDG-10.
Women-led Development: –
Action:- Allocating 3 lakh cr for schemes benefitting women and girls.
Impact: – Providing equal opportunities. Contributing to SDG-5.
Pradan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan: –
Action: –Covering 63,000 villages benefiting 5cr tribal people.
Impact: – Promotes inclusive growth and supports the marginals. SDG-10.
In conclusion, ‘GROWTH’ is a disorder if it does not promote ‘overall development’, and it’s high time for India to promote ‘Climate Action’ as affirmative steps that we collaboratively inculcate to make better livelihoods and not as actions against industrial growth. It is always the change that has to happen in us at first, this will push the government to draft policies accordingly which brings frameworks and regulations for the companies to build as re-generative businesses. Let’s build a lifestyle that every action is re-generative to promote sustainable living and that urges government and industries to change.
