Energy and Climate Action

Background

The Joint Staff Development Programme (JSDP) and the India Office of Konrad-Adenauer Stiftung e V (KAS) have been having the annual ‘Learning and Knowledge Sharing’ events since the early 80s In 2022, the event was held in Varanasi; and this year (2023), it will be hosted in Mysuru The overarching objective of these events is to share knowledge on the relationship between different socio-economic resources In 2022 and 2023, the focus was on SDGs such as water and energy, and to advance policy and on-field change The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognizes the central role played by improved access to both water and energy in advancing climate action and sustainable development

In India, more than 700 million people live in areas experiencing high water stress. Climate change will put additional strain, as water availability becomes less predictable and incidences of flooding and drought continue to increase. Extreme weather events such as storms, forest fires, floods and drought, and extreme temperatures affect energy production and delivery facilities, causing supply disruptions and affecting infrastructure that depends on the energy supply. National demand for water and energy will continue to rise significantly in the coming decades.

Therefore, water and energy issues cannot be addressed in a vacuum. For instance, the health sector is responsible for protecting the population (SDG4) from the health impacts of climate change. Similarly, people displaced by the effects of climate change may face considerable challenges in accessing education: saturated school capacity, destroyed infrastructure, linguistic barriers, exacerbated poverty and dropout, difficulties having qualifications recognized, discrimination, and more.

Climate change is thus a complex problem that has increased the need for an integrated, multisectoral and multidisciplinary response. The Paris Agreement on Climate Change offers an opportunity to advance sustainable development through scaled-up action on water and energy. Energy production is responsible for 1.77 metric tons per person of India’s greenhouse gas emissions, while energy use in transport and industry accounts for another 35 per cent. So, achieving SDG7 will be an essential element of meeting the climate objectives agreed upon in Paris. Integrated water-resource management is also key for climate change mitigation, as many efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions depend on reliable access to water resources.

In addressing challenges triggered by climate change, the role of civil society is critical In India, there are approximately 22,000 (registered) civil society organizations (CSOs) working on various socio-economic development issues Although their work may not directly fall within the ambit of climate action and SDGs, they could apply a ‘climate change and SDG’ lens to their existing programs, particularly in climate-adjacent sectors such as agriculture, water, land, forestry, and energy Therefore, it is essential for CSOs to understand the interlinkages between their work and climate and SDGs For example, land provides food, water, and biodiversity as well as space for solar panels and wind generators

Recognising the need to address the interlinkages between water, energy and climate action and their contributions to the advancement of various climate-smart goals, the JSDP and India Office of KAS have come together to promote partner knowledge on water, energy as part of climate action and SDGs. Their annual initiative calls for developing sustainable network on SDG6 and SDG7 interlinkages, with numerous stakeholders from all states/regions and constituencies. A workshop will be held as part of the annual JSDP/KAS learning event. This is being organized jointly by JSDP/ KAS and the Institute for Youth and Development, Bengaluru.

Objectives

The key objectives of the workshop are:

To share experiences and best practices on integrated approaches for water and energy in mitigating and adapting to climate-change and in promoting SDGs

To present and discuss the potential for implementing sustainable water and energy solutions, and its impact on poverty, agriculture, education and health, at local, regional and national levels with stakeholder participation.

To apply the lens of JSDP-KAS “SDG Trainers’ Manual” to this issues and see how it can be improved and made more implementable

Session 1: Keynote Address

Future water governance in a world of climate change / Thematic Discussions on Intersectoral landscape on water governance

(Topic: In light of droughts and floods and greater climate variability, how do we manage water? Speakers will address policy, state, regional and national aspects).

Special Session 2:

Partners share experiences in education, health and monitoring progress of SDGs / JSDP Partners SDG manual workshop sharing.

Special Session 3: Group Discussions

Special Session 4: Plenary and Open Discussions

Special Session 5: Panel Discussion

How do we address cross-cutting themes on water governance?

Special Session 6: Thematic Discussions on Climate change and energy after Paris!

Topic: To tackle the climate and biodiversity crises, we have to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move on from fossil fuels and coal. Decarbonisation and green growth based on new technologies are at the heart of the Paris Agreements and the Green Deal

Special Session 7: Panel Discussion

Inter-sectoral landscape on energy and climate change

Themes: Agriculture; biomes; coastal infrastructure; alternative energies

Special Session 8: Group Discussions

Special Session 9: Plenary and Open Discussions CONNECT WITH US