Chandigarh, July 11: To enhance climate governance, the Chandigarh administration has proposed the establishment of a dedicated Climate Change Centre (CCC) under the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC) 2.0. The centre will function as a coordinating hub for interdepartmental climate action, data management, and knowledge dissemination.
The proposal was put forward during the second meeting of the State Level Steering Committee (SLSC) chaired by UT Chief Secretary Rajeev Verma. The committee also approved a baseline study on carbon emissions and sequestration potential to support evidence-based policy planning.
The roadmap discussed follows the approval of SAPCC 2.0 by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change during the recent National Steering Committee on Climate Change (NSCCC) meeting.
“SAPCC 2.0 outlines our long-term vision to mainstream sustainability, reduce emissions, and build climate resilience into Chandigarh’s governance structure by 2030,” said a senior UT environment official.
The plan—developed by the Department of Environment, Chandigarh Administration—aligns with India’s national climate commitments, including the Updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategy, and the Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
Based on climate modelling and vulnerability assessments, the UT is expected to witness a marked rise in average temperatures and extreme rainfall events by 2050, with projected impacts on urban heat stress and flooding.
Key measures outlined include achieving 100% renewable energy targets under the Model Solar City initiative, scaling up electric mobility, enforcing green building norms, enhancing rainwater harvesting, restoring urban wetlands, and improving public health systems.
To ensure accountability and data integrity, SAPCC 2.0 includes a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (MER) framework to track progress.
Those present at the meeting included Mandip Singh Brar, Secretary Home-cum-Environment and Forest; Diprava Lakra, Secretary Finance and Transport; Saurbh Kumar, Chief Conservator of Forest-cum-Director Environment; Amit Kumar, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation; Ajay Chagti, Secretary Health; and Anup Kumar Soni, Additional Director Environment, along with other departmental representatives.
