In News:

India and Germany have launched a €20 million (approximately ?180 crore) Large Grant project under Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI). The project focuses on strengthening climate resilience in India’s most vulnerable ecosystems through nature-based and sustainable adaptation strategies.

About the International Climate Initiative (IKI)

• Established in 2008, IKI is Germany’s principal funding instrument for international climate action.
• Supports projects in:
  • Climate change mitigation
  • Adaptation
  • Biodiversity conservation
• Operates in over 150 partner countries, with 14 priority countries, including India, Brazil, China, South Africa, Indonesia, and Mexico.
• Aligns with global commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

IKI represents Germany’s climate diplomacy approach, combining financial assistance, technology cooperation, and capacity building.

Scope of the New India–Germany Project

The newly launched €20 million initiative targets high-risk and ecologically sensitive regions in India, promoting long-term resilience through ecosystem-based adaptation.

Priority Regions

• Himalayas
  • Challenges: Glacier melt, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), landslides.
  • Significance: Water security for major river systems.
• Western Ghats
  • Biodiversity hotspot facing deforestation and habitat fragmentation.
  • Vulnerable to extreme rainfall events and ecological degradation.
• North-East India
  • Fragile hill ecosystems prone to soil erosion and flooding.
  • Rich in biodiversity but ecologically sensitive.
• Island Ecosystems (e.g., Andaman & Nicobar)
  • Threatened by sea-level rise and coastal erosion.
  • High vulnerability to cyclones and marine ecosystem disruption.

Focus Areas of Intervention

• Promotion of Nature-Based Solutions (NbS)
• Ecosystem restoration and conservation
• Climate-resilient livelihoods
• Capacity building at local and state levels
• Strengthening institutional frameworks for adaptation

Nature-based solutions integrate environmental restoration with socio-economic resilience, ensuring sustainability and community participation.

Strategic Significance

1. Strengthening India’s Climate Resilience

India faces:

• Rising temperatures
• Erratic monsoons
• Increased frequency of extreme weather events
• Biodiversity loss

This initiative enhances adaptive capacity in vulnerable geographies.

2. Alignment with India’s National Commitments

The project supports:

• India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
  • Target of 50% cumulative electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
• Net-Zero Commitment (2070)
• National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) missions, particularly:
  • National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem
  • National Mission on Sustainable Habitat

3. Global Climate Governance

• Reinforces North–South cooperation in climate finance.
• Demonstrates operationalisation of climate finance commitments under the Paris Agreement.
• Promotes biodiversity conservation alongside climate mitigation and adaptation.

4. Indo-German Strategic Partnership

Climate cooperation is a key pillar of the India–Germany Strategic Partnership, complementing collaboration in:

• Renewable energy
• Green hydrogen
• Sustainable urbanisation
• Technology and innovation