This Article First Appeared On Indian Express In March 22, 2023
India’s Budget for 2023-24 was released by our finance minister on February 1. One aspect that deserves more discussion is the budget’s allocation towards climate action. Climate change mitigation has received a clear mention — especially with the focus on green growth initiatives targeted at reducing the carbon intensity of the economy such as green mobility, energy efficiency and the green hydrogen mission announcement. But climate change adaptation has been addressed only indirectly. Certain budgetary allocations towards nature-based solutions such as the mangrove plantation initiative and the community-based wetland conservation scheme promise to have potentially positive impacts in mitigating climate change and climate adaptation. The initiative to make India a global hub for millets is also likely to help reap adaptation benefits. Millets are more climate resilient and require less water compared to rice and wheat.