“The National Adaptation Plan (NAP) we are building today will be a cornerstone of our march towards Viksit Bharat”, said Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh, in his inaugural address today at the national level workshop on National Adaptation Plan on Climate Change.
The workshop was organised by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, under the ongoing Green Climate Fund Readiness Programme.
The workshop focused on engaging with stakeholders in identifying sectoral adaptation priorities and understanding regional vulnerabilities across nine key sectors namely water, agriculture, disaster management & infrastructure resilience, health, forests, ecosystems & biodiversity, poverty alleviation & livelihoods, traditional knowledge & heritage and adaptation resourcing covered under India’s upcoming first National Adaptation Plan (NAP).
The consultation also explored cross-cutting themes, including gender, traditional knowledge, and technology in adaptation strategies. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Singh said that under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, India has taken an important role in tackling Climate Change.
He stated that now the country has emerged as an inspiration for nations around the world when it comes to tackling global issues pertaining to climate action, environmental protection, and sustainable development.
He also stated that India’s ambition to achieve developed nation status by 2047 is fundamentally anchored in the vision of inclusive and sustainable development. Shri Singh mentioned that India’s National Adaptation Plan is not just a document but a dynamic process, evolving with time, driven by science and innovation, and guided by grassroot realities.
He highlighted that it will be a blueprint for how we integrate adaptation into national development plans and policies across economic sectors, ensuring a systematic and long-term approach.
It will contribute to building resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate-related risks across various sectors such as agriculture, water resources, the Himalayan region, coastal regions, health, disaster management etc., the Minister added.
The Minister further emphasised that India aims to develop a comprehensive and inclusive Adaptation Plan that aligns with sustainable development goals and ensures climate resilience for all regions and sectors.
He added that NAP priorities identified for India are threefold: Strengthening knowledge systems, reducing exposure to climate risks and enhancing adaptive capacity. Shri Singh stressed that Adaptation is not just an option but an absolute necessity.
Rather than being a one-time exercise, it’s a continuous cycle - planning, implementing, learning and refining, the Minister added. Secretary (MoEFCC), Shri Tanmay Kumar, emphasized that India’s adaptation plan would be guided by the latest climate data, validated research & risk assessments and aligned with existing policies and programmes.
He also mentioned that India’s NAP will be based on the eight key principles i.e., Country-driven, Integrated & Multi-sectoral, Gender-responsive, Participatory & Transparent, Inclusive of Vulnerable Groups, Communities & Ecosystems, Science-driven & Informed by Traditional Knowledge, Iterative & Adaptive and through a coordinated ‘Whole of Government’ and ‘Whole of Society’ approach.
He also emphasized upon the ‘Mission LiFE’, launched by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, for adopting environment-friendly lifestyle as an important step in combating climate change. The role of ‘Ek Ped Maa ke Naam’, launched by the Prime Minister, was also emphasized in combating Climate Change.
Speaking at workshop, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in India, Dr. Angela Lusigi, emphasized the critical role of the NAP in embedding climate adaptation across key sectors in India.
She also highlighted that the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) is more than a policy document - it serves as a strategic roadmap to build climate resilience and ensure sustainable development.
Additional Secretary (MoEFCC), Shri Naresh Pal Gangwar, mentioned that India’s NAP will guide our adaptation & resilience priorities and actions moving forward. Economic Advisor (MoEFCC), Ms. Rajasree Ray, presented India’s ongoing NAP process, vulnerability and adaptation needs.