India’s MGNREGS major contributor to global Nature-based Solutions, says report released at COP16 in Riyadh

India’s MGNREGS major contributor to global Nature-based Solutions, says report released at COP16 in Riyadh

Sub : Env

Sec : Int convention

Report: Decent Work in Nature-based Solutions 2024

• Launch at:  CoP16 of UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
• The report, a joint effort by ILO, UNEP, and IUCN, supports the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The findings aim to inform policies and investments for sustainable, inclusive economies while addressing climate and biodiversity crises.

Report findings:

• 93–95% of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) employment is concentrated in the Asia-Pacific region.
• India’s Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) is a significant contributor.
• Over 59 million people are employed globally through NbS, with more than 50% being women.
• Employment Breakdown:
  • 1.8% of global employment comes from NbS, with India’s MGNREGS contributing 85–87% of full-time equivalents (FTE).
  • Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) lead in worker numbers despite limited financial investment.
  • High-income countries account for 57% of global expenditure on NbS.
  • Asia-Pacific contributes 44% of global NbS spending.
• Future Projections:
  • An annual investment increase of $542 billion by 2030 could create 20–32 million jobs in agriculture and forestry.
  • Investing $2.9 trillion in Nature-based Infrastructure (NbI) can significantly boost employment and climate-resilient infrastructure.

Nature-based Solutions (NbS):

• Nature-based Solutions (NbS) are actions that leverage natural ecosystems to address societal challenges. These include combating climate change, preserving biodiversity, enhancing human well-being, and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
• The UN defines NbS as “actions to protect, conserve, restore, sustainably use, and manage natural or modified terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems.”

Key Features:

• Ecosystem-based Approach:
  • Utilizes natural processes to provide solutions to environmental, social, and economic challenges.
  • Examples include afforestation, wetland restoration, and sustainable agricultural practices.
• Multi-dimensional Benefits:
  • Climate mitigation and adaptation.
  • Conservation of biodiversity.
  • Enhancing community resilience and creating employment.
• Global Policy Integration:
  • Recognized in frameworks like the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
  • Aligns with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Importance of NbS:

• Climate and Biodiversity Goals:
  • Scalable solutions to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.
  • Delivers economic, environmental, and social benefits, including job creation and improved livelihoods.
• Skills and Workforce Development:
  • Growing demand for skills in geospatial analysis, environmental economics, AI, and indigenous knowledge.
  • Investments in training can reduce gender disparities and foster inclusive decision-making.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS):

• The MGNREGS is a flagship social security and labour law program of the Government of India, introduced in 2005 under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
• It aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by guaranteeing a minimum of 100 days of wage employment to every rural household annually.

Objectives:

• Ensure a legal right to work and alleviate rural poverty.
• Focus on sustainable development through the creation of productive assets like water conservation structures, roads, and afforestation.
• Address the needs of marginalized groups, including women, Scheduled Castes (SCs), and Scheduled Tribes (STs).
• Empower local governance institutions, particularly Gram Panchayats, to implement projects.

Key Features:

• Legal Entitlement:
  • Any rural household can demand employment under MGNREGS.
  • Work must be provided within 15 days of request; failure to do so requires payment of an unemployment allowance.
• Focus on Women:
  • At least one-third of the workforce is reserved for women.
  • Ensures equal wages for men and women.
• Community Participation:
  • Projects are selected and monitored by the Gram Sabha (village assembly).
  • Encourages transparency and accountability through social audits.
• Environmentally Focused Projects:
  • Includes water conservation, irrigation, afforestation, and other eco-friendly initiatives.
  • Contributes to climate resilience and rural sustainability.

Achievements:

• Rural Employment Generation:
  • MGNREGS is the world’s largest public works program, providing employment to millions annually.
  • It played a critical role in absorbing migrant labour during the COVID-19
• Empowerment of Women:
  • Significant participation of women, fostering financial independence and decision-making.
• Strengthening Rural Infrastructure:
  • Projects under MGNREGS have improved rural connectivity, irrigation, and water resources.
• Climate Adaptation:
  • Nature-based solutions (NbS) under MGNREGS, such as afforestation and watershed management, contribute to ecological restoration and climate change mitigation.

Challenges

• Implementation Gaps:
  • Delays in wage payments.
  • Poor quality of assets created.
• Corruption and Leakages:
  • Mismanagement and misuse of funds in some states.
• Low Awareness:
  • Many rural households are unaware of their rights under the scheme.
• Inadequate Funding:
  • Budgetary constraints often limit the scope and reach of the program.

Source: DTE