Poor and climate-vulnerable people in India live in coastal areas, hilly terrains, forests, and biodiverse regions. Most of the human needs in these remote areas are met by exploiting the natural resources of the environment. For instance, energy to light homes and support neighborhood livelihood typically comes from forest wood, which doubles up as fodder for cooking and lighting households. Government efforts to address the climate justice needs of these populations are often perceived as inadequate.

For instance, there are regions where transport connectivity is practically non–existent. Government efforts to provide transportation have been challenged by both the courts and civil society organizations, citing the issue of deforestation. Balancing development and the environment has been a challenge for local authorities in providing adequate civic amenities and basic facilities to people living in biodiverse, forested, and hilly terrains.

Inhabitants in these areas do not generate waste, as whatever they consume has a circular aspect, meaning that any waste generated can be reused.  The local economies are thus net zero, running seamlessly and smoothly without contributing to carbon emissions during local production and consumption processes.

The country still has over 70 percent of its population living in rural areas and agrarian geographies, with inadequate access to renewable energy and an inadequate standard of living.  Given such contexts, a large part of India, particularly in non-urban areas, continues to remain cut off from basic civic services and municipal amenities.

Most of these groups are predominantly farmers, forest dwellers, and aboriginals, deep into poverty, besides suffering from climate vulnerabilities and poor access to resources and amenities. Living farther away from sub-regions, accompanied by underprivileged standards, low income, poor socio-economic conditions, lack of education, and high poverty levels, continues to coexist with climate vulnerabilities.

This Post was submitted by Climate Scorecard India Country Manager Pooran Chandra Pandey.