Bihar Becomes 1st Indian State to sign MoU with UNEP for development of Low-Carbon Development Pathway

On February 12, 2021, Bihar State Pollution Control Board (BSPCB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to develop a framework for achieving climate resilience & low-carbon development in the state by 2040. Bihar became the 1st Indian State to sign such an agreement.

As part of the Agreement, UNEP will assist Bihar

• To prepare a GreenHouse Gas(GHG) Inventory & Carbon Footprint Analyses
• To develop Climate Impact Vulnerability Assessments
• Increase the capacity of Bihar’s Government departments to deal with climate-related issues.
• Revising Bihar’s State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCC) to align with India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change under Paris Agreement.

The agreement was signed by Atul Bagai, UNEP India head & S Chandrasekar, Member Secretary of the BSPCB.

Background:

The MoU is part of an announcement made by Bihar & UNEP in September 2020.

i.In September, 2020 Dipak Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary (forests) stated that Bihar had signed a MoU with UNEP for conducting a 2-year study towards making carbon neutrality-carbon emission equal carbon sequestration (Carbon Emission Zero) – Target in Bihar by 2040.

• The study was to be carried out for a period of 2 years at a cost of INR 1.4 Crores.
• The study will be carried out by a team that will assess the carbon footprint of various sectors in Bihar.
• Based on the study, a strategy for reducing carbon dioxide emissions and to increase carbon sinks will be prepared.

Initiatives by Bihar to fight Climate Change:

Bihar has introduced many initiatives like Jal-Jeevan Hariyali, Agricultural Roadmap, Renewable Energy Policy and Clean Fuel Policy to tackle air and water pollution and increase green cover.

Recent Related News:

i.August 10, 2020, BSPCB signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi to set up a Geographical Information System (GIS) based platform for air quality management in Bihar.

About Bihar:
RAMSAR Site – Kabartal Wetland
Festival – Bihula,Chhath, Madhushravani