With targets for 13 depts, ​K'taka climate action plan takes first step

Bengaluru: Taking the first step towards the implementation of the state action plan on climate change (SAPCC), Karnataka is set to ask 13 departments to come up with climate action goals which will be periodically monitored by committees at state and department levels.

Karnataka is among the states which moved fast in preparing the action plan in 2021. While all districts in Karnataka are exposed to climate change, 20 districts were considered vulnerable and nine were classified as highly vulnerable on the basis of socio economic factors.

The plan also highlights the vulnerability of sectors like agriculture, industry, energy and others to the negative impacts. The SAPCC, however, became official only in April 2024 due to delay in Centre’s approval.

Following the announcement in the state budget 2025-26 to implement the KSAPCC, a committee led by the Chief Secretary finalised a mechanism to set targets for departments and monitor their implementation with committees at two levels.

The KSAPCC estimated an annual expenditure of about Rs 53,000 crore. Sources said the Centre will not provide any funds for its implementation. The state government has advised that the departments have to design the programmes within the existing allocations.

Officials in the Environment Department said all the 13 departments, identified as direct stakeholders who can guide actions in the line departments, have already submitted 21 key performance indicators (KPI).

“The KPIs are targets but they are not set in stone. They are the stated vision of each department’s efforts at climate action. The departments will work with considerable flexibility to achieve their targets,” a senior officer in the department said.

For instance, among the KPIs listed by the Agriculture Department is the target to increase the cultivation of millets and other climate smart crops from 33.20 hectares to 34.61 hectares in the next five years.

During the same time, the Forest Department has set the target of increasing the mangrove forests -- which play a key role in reducing coastal erosion -- from 1,300 hectare to 1,800 hectares.

The departments will be nudged to align their programmes towards mitigation and adaptation works. The progress will be tracked by the Green Index programme run by the Environment Management Policy Research Institute.

The performance will be assessed first at the departmental evaluation committee headed by commissioner, Karnataka Evaluation Authority. In addition, the overall work will be monitored at the department level by an eight-member department monitoring committee headed by the additional chief secretary/principal secretary.

A state level steering committee headed by the Development Commissioner will look into the overall achievements and their positive impacts. “The steering committee will play a major role when it comes to coordinating between multiple departments. It will also recommend measures to improve the adaptation and mitigation works. The high-level committee may even update the KSAPCC as per the requirement,” the officer said.

To a question, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Evaluation, Working Plan, Research, Training and Climate Change) B P Ravi said latest measures mark a significant step in implementing the action plan. “The government is mainstreaming the KSAPCC and helping different departments come together in addressing some of the challenges. The committees will play a major role in ensuring that adaptation and mitigation measures are implemented,” he added.