Think local climate action, think Meenangadi

Subject :Environment

Context: Carbon neutrality projects across India-

In recent years, many panchayats have come forward with the concept of carbon neutrality, a prominent example being Meenangadi gram panchayat in Kerala’s Wayanad district, which serves as a model to emulate.

‘Carbon neutral Meenangadi’ Project-

In 2016, the panchayat envisaged a project called ‘Carbon neutral Meenangadi’.
The aim being to transform Meenangadi into a state of carbon neutrality.
Steps taken were-
- Several multi sector schemes were implemented to reduce emissions, increase carbon sequestration, and preserve the ecology and bio-diversity.
- ‘Tree banking’ was one of landmark schemes introduced to aid carbon neutral activities which encouraged the planting of more trees by extending interest-free loans.
  - 1,58,816 trees were planted which have also been geo-tagged to monitor their growth.
- Local economic development was another thrust area where LED bulb manufacturing and related micro-enterprises were initiated.

Initiatives in other Panchayats-

Palli gram panchayat in Jammu and Kashmir has followed the same people-centric model, with specific local activities.
- A climate-resilient plan is being prepared.
- Bio-gas plants and solar panels were also introduced.
- A solar plant (500KW) has been installed to power 340 households.
- A Gram Panchayat Development Plan for 2022-23 is being prepared by integrating a climate-resilient plan.
In Seechewal gram panchayat, theKali Bein riverwas rejuvenated with people’s involvement.
Odanthurai panchayat in Tamil Nadu has its own windmill (350 KW).
Tikekarwadi gram panchayat in Maharashtra is well known for its extensive use of biogas plants and green energy production.
Chapparapadavu gram panchayat in Kerala has several green islands that have been nurtured by the community.

The ‘Clean and Green Village’ theme-

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has focused its attention on localising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on a thematic basis.
‘Clean and Green Village’ has been identified as the fifth theme where panchayats can take up activities on natural resource management, biodiversity protection, waste management and afforestation activities.

According to the latest data, 1,09,135 gram panchayats have prioritised ‘Clean & Green Village’ as one of their focus areas for 2022-23.

Carbon Neutrality

Carbon neutrality means every ton of anthropogenic CO2 emitted is compensated with an equivalent amount of CO2 removed, according to World Resources Institute.
In order to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, carbon neutrality by mid-21st century is essential. This target is also laid down in the Paris agreement signed by 195 countries, including the EU.
Carbon sink is any system that absorbs more carbon than it emits.
The main natural carbon sinks are soil, forests and oceans.
To date, no artificial carbon sinks are able to remove carbon from the atmosphere on the necessary scale to fight global warming.
The carbon stored in natural sinks such as forests is released into the atmosphere through forest fires, changes in land use or logging.
Another way to reduce emissions and to pursue carbon neutrality is to offset emissions made in one sector by reducing them somewhere else. This can be done through investment in renewable energy, energy efficiency or other clean, low-carbon technologies.