Delhi govt to revise 2019 Climate Action Plan
Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced on Wednesday that a draft of a new environmental policy has been released. This policy includes the establishment of an "environment health cell" to address diseases linked to climate change, the expansion of solar-power generation, and plans for waste-to-energy plants. The draft action plan is set to be submitted to the Centre within the next two weeks. The plan highlights a vulnerability assessment, revealing that Northeast Delhi, East Delhi, and South Delhi have high vulnerability, while New Delhi, Central Delhi, and North Delhi have a low-vulnerability index. The plan also proposes the installation of smart meters. Health adaptation plans are being developed to address diseases caused by air pollution, as well as disaster management for heatwaves, cold waves, water-borne diseases, and zoonotic diseases, as part of the Action Plan on Climate Change. The policy aims to ensure that there is no shortage in bed capacity and infrastructure, with an additional 10 per cent buffer, and to guarantee 100 per cent coverage of health interventions under various programmes for vulnerable populations. The draft also includes a strategy for energy efficiency, aiming for 100 per cent saturation of LED bulbs, LED tubelights, energy-efficient fans, and LED streetlights by 2030. DISCOMS are expected to install smart meters for all consumers in a time-bound manner, in alignment with the Department of Power's Vision 2041. During a press conference, Rai stated that climate change is no longer an abstract concept but is directly affecting human lives, noting that Delhi has experienced severe impacts, including record-breaking heatwaves and unprecedented rainfall this year. Rai emphasised the urgency of the initiative, stating that the tampering with nature in the race for development is now directly impacting people's lives. He noted that Delhi continues to struggle with extreme weather events and air pollution, and that this comprehensive policy is a response to these challenges. To combat the adverse effects of climate change, the minister has introduced a comprehensive strategy focusing on seven critical sectors in Delhi: energy, water, waste management, green cover, transport, health, and agriculture. Rai mentioned that the rapid environmental degradation observed in recent years prompted a review of the 2019 policy, leading to the drafting of the new policy, which will be submitted to the central government. The policy is designed to identify and control the sources of climate change within the seven targeted sectors. Rai highlighted that more than 40 departments, experts, and officials participated in meetings aimed at revising Delhi's 2019 Climate Action Plan. The proposed policy will be submitted to the Centre for approval within the next two weeks, after which it will be implemented with necessary revisions based on feedback. Furthermore, the Delhi government has already established a core group and a steering committee, led by the chief secretary, to oversee the policy's development and ensure its effective execution. Rai explained that the policy is not only about reducing the impact of climate change but also about making Delhi a resilient city, prepared to face future challenges. The conference also outlined specific measures under each sector, such as promoting solar energy, improving waste management, enhancing green cover, and increasing the use of electric vehicles. Additionally, the policy includes provisions for adapting infrastructure to withstand climate-related stresses, such as underground power distribution and flood-resistant urban planning.
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