National Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report: Key Findings and Significance

The National Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report 2019-20, launched by the Department of Science and Technology, came into the public domain on April 17, 2021. This crucial report is a part of the capacity building programme under the two significant National Missions on Climate Change, namely the National Mission on Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) and National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change (NMSKCC). These missions are coordinated by the Climate Change Program (CCP) under the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

The National Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report is a topic of high relevance from the IAS Exam perspective. Aspirants may expect questions based on the findings, survey analysis, and aspects of the report in the forthcoming examination.

Candidates preparing for competitive exams can also refer to a comprehensive list of Reports Published by International Organisations at the linked article.

About the National Climate Vulnerability Assessment Report

• The Department of Science and Technology has released a report titled 'The Report Climate Vulnerability Assessment for Adaptation Planning in India Using a Common Framework.'
• The report identifies the most vulnerable states and districts in India in terms of climate risk and key drivers of vulnerability.
• It aims to prioritize adaptation investment and develop and implement adaptation programs.
• The assessment uses a common framework across states and union territories to make them comparable for informed decision-making at the policy and administrative levels.
• Key indicators for the assessment include poverty levels, income share from natural resources, landholdings, women's workforce participation, and healthcare worker density.
• The report is part of the capacity building program under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.

Visit the linked article on Climate Change in India.

Key Findings of the Report

• Highly Vulnerable States: Jharkhand, Mizoram, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Bihar, Arunachal Pradesh, and West Bengal are identified as highly vulnerable to climate change.
• Lower-middle Vulnerable States: Himachal Pradesh, Telangana, Sikkim, and Punjab.
• Low Vulnerable States: Uttarakhand, Haryana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Nagaland, Goa, and Maharashtra.
• Highly Vulnerable Districts: Assam, Bihar, and Jharkhand have over 60% districts in the highly vulnerable category.
• Vulnerability scores in all districts of India lie in a small range. This indicates that all districts and states are somewhat vulnerable to current climate risks.

Visit the linked article on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Report.

Significance of the Findings

• The assessments can be used for India's reporting on the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
• They support India's National Action Plan on Climate Change. They contribute to the development of targeted climate change projects.
• The findings help in implementing State Action Plans on Climate Change and developing adaptation projects for climate funds.
• The report benefits climate-vulnerable communities by facilitating the development of better-designed climate change adaptation projects.

Visit the linked article on the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

We hope all your doubts regarding this topic have been addressed after going through this article. Ace your UPSC preparation with the Testbook App!