Legislators actions in South Asia on climate change adaptation:

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Melissa Townsend
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1 Legislators actions in South Asia on climate change adaptation: Need, Experiences and Scope Explaining the segment/constituency Content Experiences with Indian Legislators network Role of Legislators in Implementing Adaptation 1

2 Explaining the Segment/Constituency International Agreement Bodies Bi and Multilateral aid bodies Scientific community Introduction Key Actor Groups in Adaptation Government/ state Non state Actors Business Community Civil society/communi ties Local Governments Legislators/Political representative Most democratically legitimate representatives with high influence? Largely missed in literature and practice 2

3 Why Legislators? Top Level Introduce/ Create Laws and legal reforms Access / Influence Policy makers/politics PARLIAMENTARIANS Budgetary and policy Oversight Influence policies/ pressurize Governments Potential Future Policy Makers Participate in implementation Influence masses/public Bottom Level Adaptation and legislators? Representing affected Communities Influence political consensus and agenda on Adaptation Push Government for Urgent Action on Adaptation Influence public awareness and understanding Oversight on financial and budgetary actions by Government Take part in monitoring and evaluation reporting process Undertake adaptation projects under Constituency Development Fund Mobilise media and communication channels Take leadership role in decision making when in power Climate change adaptation is a platform from which to address a range of political objectives - Austin Zeiderman, 2016, Adaptive Publics: Building Climate Constituencies in Bogotá (You could also link it your current research) 3

4 Experiences with Indian Legislators Clean Energy and Adaptation Clean Energy technologies are a critical tool for both mitigation and adaptation recognised for economic co-benefits The decentralised and distributed property of renewable energy technologies (RETs) is of special significance In the fact with rising disasters, centralised infrastructure are continuously threatened further investments jeopardised Decentralised RETs can provide immediate relief to issues like lighting, water supply, cooking, communication, etc. therefore effective back up systems For remote communities, decentralised RETs can be the main source of energy supply where grid cannot reach and thus empowering them to adapt quicker Can also lead to alternative occupation/enterprises that are more climate resilient 4

Hud Hud Cyclone in Odisha Impact of power grid Renewable Energy: CP Perspective Energy Supply Energy Efficiency Creation of jobs Significance of Renewable Energy Looking beyond energy supply Climate

5 Hud Hud Cyclone in Odisha Impact of power grid Renewable Energy: CP Perspective Energy Supply Energy Efficiency Creation of jobs Significance of Renewable Energy Looking beyond energy supply Climate Change Mitigation And Adaptation Renewable Energy Clean Technology (Other than RE) Rural electrification /development Decentralised applications Air pollution reduction Bilateral and multilateral Trade Boost Electricity highways Carbon Sinks Enterprise Development 10 5

6 Budgetary Oversight 1% budget Campaign National Clean Energy Fund Disbursal and utilisation Case Studies Actions by Climate Parliament Energy access Campaign Raise the issue of household level electrification Mission on Energy Access Mission Solar Power Cart Scheme Local Area Development Project Sustainable Renewable Energy Development Authority, Bangladesh 1% Budget outlay for MNRE CHALLENGE Inadequate budget support to RE sector Ministry of New and Renewable Energy Impact delays in disbursement of subsidies and incentives Inability undertake soft jobs like capacity building, R&D etc. Budgetary Oversight Actions by Climate Parliament 2010 CP members briefed Committee on Estimates 2011 Committee of Estimates gave the 1% budget recommendation Energy Committee intervention -Delegation to PM 2013 Pre budget memorandumme dia briefings, energy committee interventions 2014 Union budget , plan outlay for the MNRE was nearly 1% of the Central Plan Outlay 12 6

Financial Oversight Baseline: Large portion of NCEF remained unutilized till the year 2012 Financial Oversight 2012 Climate Parliament MPs write to Finance Minister on NCEF Utilization Mr. K.

7 Financial Oversight Baseline: Large portion of NCEF remained unutilized till the year 2012 Financial Oversight 2012 Climate Parliament MPs write to Finance Minister on NCEF Utilization Mr. K.N Singh Deo raises the issue of NCEF utilization under Rule 377 in Lok Sabha 2013 CP members write to Finance Minister for allocating NCEF funds for RE Parliamentary questions, VIP mentions, etc NCEF allocation for RE projects increased Allocation of NCEF fund to IREDA in budget Government amended the NCEF guidelines for providing resources to implement regular MNRE programs National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) - Cess on production and utilisation of coal 13 Solar cart in Odisha Photo of Solar Cart 7

8 Role of Legislators in Implementing Adaptation India s steps on Adaptation Prime Minister s Council on Climate Change, 2007 National Action Plan on Climate Change National Mission on Sustainable Habitat Mission on Sustainable Agriculture National Water Mission National Mission on Himalayan Ecosystem Mission on Strategic Knowledge State Action Plans on Climate Change National and State budgetary allocations National Adaptation Fund Accessing international Funds NABARD nodal agency for GCF 8

9 Legislators Role in Adaptation in India Key Areas Embedding the adaptation strategies in India s development trajectory mainstreaming adaptation policy advocacy and legislative amendments Oversight on financial expenditures by Government on Climate Change adaptation Budgetary expenditure on Climate change adaptation projects Utilisation and effectiveness of budgetary expenditure through development schemes National adaptation Fund on Climate Change Parliamentary Committee on Climate Change adaptation Progress of National and State Action Plans Indicator on Climate Change preparedness of public schemes MP/MLA Local Area Development Fund Channelising of 5% by every MP in India is likely to unlock around 26 million Euros annually Steps needed 9

Role of Parliamentarians in Monitoring Climate Finance and Development

Role of Parliamentarians in Monitoring Climate Finance and Development Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal Asia Pacific Regional Forum on Climate Change Finance and Sustainable Development 1-3 September 2015 Jakarta, Indonesia